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NBA Suspends Season Until Further Notice Due To Coronavirus

Written by MOS Editorial Team

Published on 12 March 2020

The NBA has suspended the 2019/20 season until further notice after Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus.

The test result was reported just prior to the tip-off of Wednesday’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

As a result, the NBA is suspending gameplay following the conclusion of Wednesday’s schedule of games until further notice and will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus.

On Monday, it was announced that the NBA would be limiting locker room access to only essential team personnel including coaches, front office executives, basketball and PR staff – before and after games.

Additionally, creating six to eight feet of space between the players and media members during availability sessions outside of team locker rooms became a mandate.

The Golden State Warriors became the first team to take the next step, announcing on Wednesday that the team would play its home games without fans in attendance, in accordance with the San Francisco Health Office’s order prohibiting groups of 1,000 or more people at events.

Golden State’s game against the Nets on Thursday night was set to be the first empty-arena game, and it was widely expected that other teams would soon follow suit.

All of these measures have now been in vain, as the league flounders in suspension until further notice.