The NBA announced on Wednesday night that it will be suspending the 2019-20 season without a firm timetable for return. The announcement immediately followed the news of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert testing positive for the coronavirus.
Soon after it was known of Gobert's positive test, the Jazz's road contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder was postponed shortly before tipoff. The Thunder were cleared to leave, but Jazz players and staff needed to coordinate with Oklahoma and Utah public health organizations before they could exit the arena.
Thursday morning, Gobert's teammate, Donovan Mitchell, became the second Jazz player to test positive for the virus, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Players past and present expressed their concerns and suggestions on social media following the news.
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Man we cancelling sporting events, school, office work, etc etc. What we really need to cancel is 2020! ๐คฆ๐พโโ๏ธ. Damn it's been a rough 3 months. God bless and stay safe๐๐พ
โ LeBron James (@KingJames) March 12, 2020
Basketball becomes secondary... Take care of yourselves and your family. Wash your hands often.
โ Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) March 12, 2020
2020 aint it. Don't know what to compare this situation to...just gotta buckle up and take care of yourself and those around you. Basketball will be back at some point but right now, protect yourself and stay safe out there!
โ Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) March 12, 2020
2020 = ๐ฎ
โ Ja Morant (@JaMorant) March 12, 2020
David Stern would be proud of Adam Silver & his decision to suspend the rest of the @NBA season. It was the correct call.Keeping everyone safe is priority #1 in times like these. Its a great concern for my generation, be smart and safe. @MSNBC #coronavirus #CoronavirusPandemic
โ TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) March 12, 2020
Gotta take care of the non salary arena staff etc
โ Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) March 12, 2020
No games no pay ๐ hope everybody saved properly https://t.co/mxrdpvNalf
โ CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 12, 2020
I hope all the players take some time to really work on life outside of basketball . Using your resources and celebrity to your advantage . Take the meetings. Diversify and learn to explore other avenues of income while you're still in the league. Bc when it's over it's over !
โ CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 12, 2020
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Not gonna lie, I'm scared. But need to remind myself that God is ALWAYS in control. Always. Revelation 1:17 ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ
โ Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 12, 2020
2020 is being very bad year!! stay safe folks๐
โ Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) March 12, 2020
Man... This stuff crazy... Praying for EVERYBODY in this tough time๐๐ฝ
โ Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 12, 2020
When the news broke of Mitchell's positive test, players continued their support for Utah's two stars. Both Mitchell and Gobert took to Instagram on Thursday to share their thoughts and thank all those who have reached out.
๐ฅNOOO Not Spida๐ https://t.co/udDx4SPgqf
โ Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 12, 2020
Prayers up for my brother Donovan Mitchell. ๐
โ Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) March 12, 2020
Hoping for a quick and safe recovery.
This is actually good news! No other profession is around guys more then NBA.. From sweating, high fives, on the planes and bus and too have only one test positive is a great sign.. https://t.co/Ia2MWMCgBS
โ Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) March 12, 2020
These next two weeks could be very different prepare yourselves and handle with maturity
โ Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) March 12, 2020
Shoutout to all the medical workers and hospital employees out there though man โ๐พ
โ Myles Turner (@Original_Turner) March 12, 2020
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier, who has known Gobert since they were teenagers in France, checked in on the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year to see how he's doing.
Was just on the phone with Rudy. He is doing good man. Lets not panick everyone. Love you allโค๏ธ
โ Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) March 12, 2020
Prayin for @rudygobert27๐๐ฝ hope big fella is doing ok
โ Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) March 12, 2020
Former NBA players playing professionally in Europe like Sam Dekker are facing different challenges. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that there would be a 30-day ban on travel from Europe to the United States.
crazy bro. Stay solid over there. Hit me if you need anything or just someone to talk to. ๐ค๐พ๐ค๐พ๐ค๐พ https://t.co/FVVhmtomEC
โ Justise Winslow (@IAmJustise) March 12, 2020
This is like that scene in Space Jam when the commissioner says "no more basketball games will be played" โน๏ธโน๏ธ truly wild times we are living in.
โ Sam Dekker (@dekker) March 12, 2020
With the regular season in limbo due to the coronavirus, players such as Lou Williams, Miles Bridges and Ja Morant commented on Vince Carter possibly playing in his last NBA game on Thursday night.
In the midst of everything. LETS CELEBRATE VINCE CARTER!!!! We don't know what the future holds buts let's give him his flowers and applause tonight!!!! Well done champ๐น๐น๐น
โ Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) March 12, 2020
Much love OG it was a honor to be able to compete against you โ๐ฝ https://t.co/KtlLY5Oos2
โ Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) March 12, 2020
appreciate you OG .. much love ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ๐ช๐ฝ pic.twitter.com/p4bhYttmRd
โ Ja Morant (@JaMorant) March 12, 2020
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