Report: NBA Considering Postponing Season Amid Coronavirus Concerns
The NBA has considered a number of possible alternatives in light of the compounding COVID-19 virus, including pushing its season back, The Athletic's Sam Amick reported earlier Wednesday afternoon.
On Wednesday night, following the positive test of a player on the Utah Jazz, the league suspended its season until further notice.
Per Amick, the league has reportedly been asking teams to give their arena schedules through the end of July, indicating that they are exploring the possibility of postponing play for at least a month. Typically, the NBA postseason ends in early June.
Per ESPN's Zach Lowe and Adrian Wojnarowski, there is a consensus among league owners on a Wednesday Board of Govenors call with the league office that the season will either continue with no fans in arenas or that the league will take a hiatus for a period time. The NBA is expected to have a decision as soon as Thursday on next steps.
On Wednesday, the Wizards and Kings announced that they will play games as scheduled—with fans in attendance—but that is subject to change. The Warriors announced that they will play all home games in front of an empty Chase Center for the foreseeable future after San Francisco officials banned public gatherings of more than 1,000 people.
The NCAA announced Wednesday that all March Madness games will be closed to fans. This, after several governors and countless public health officials have implored organizations to halt public gatherings.
As of Wednesday afternoon, COVID-19 has infected over 1,000 people in the U.S. already, killing at least 30, with public health officials anticipating that number to rise in the coming days and weeks. The virus has already afflicted more than 115,000 people worldwide, killing at least 4,200.
Per multiple reports, the NBA is also exploring other contingency plans, such as playing road games as home games or using an alternative venue.
Wednesday night's Jazz-Thunder game was postponed as a number of players dealt with illnesses.
Stay up to date on all the latest sporting events affected by the coronavirus.
