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NBA suspends season after Jazz player tests positive for coronavirus

The NBA will suspend the season at the conclusion of Wednesday's games until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for coronavirus.

The NBA will go on hiatus after a Utah Jazz player contracted COVID-19, it has been confirmed.

Bengaluru, March 12: The NBA will suspend the season at the conclusion of Wednesday's games until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for coronavirus.

The NBA announced on their website that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19.

The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of Wednesday's game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, Wednesday's game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.

"The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of Wednesday's schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic," an NBA statement on their website said.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said his team were "stunned."

"This is a very serious time right now. I think the league moved appropriately and prudently," he said.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said the situation was "crazy".

"This can't be true," he was quoted as saying by ESPN as his team played the Denver Nuggets.

"This isn't in the realm of possibilities. This seems more like out of a movie than reality."

A game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings was also called off at the last minute, leading to tears from at least one young fan in attendance.

The NBA play-offs were scheduled to tip off on April 18 with the finals set to begin on June 4.

The pandemic rocked the North American sports calendar on Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of the figure skating world championships and the announcement that college basketball's annual 'March Madness' tournament would take place without fans in attendance.

Following the NBA announcement, the National Hockey League said it was consulting with medical experts and would take a decision soon.

According to news Agency reports, more than 119,100 people have been infected globally by the coronavirus and nearly 4,300 have died

(With inputs from Agencies)

Story first published: Thursday, March 12, 2020, 12:07 [IST]
Other articles published on Mar 12, 2020