Chris Paul relives the night the coronavirus shutdown the NBA
Barely over a month ago, Chris Paul was preparing to play his 1,013th game in the NBA; then the game was cancelled and the league suspended. Paul reveals what happened next.
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Chris Paul was preparing to play just another game in his 15-year career. He couldn’t have imagined it’d be his final time on a court for months. He couldn’t have known the country was about to change.
It was barely over a month ago that the Thunder were preparing to host the Jazz at Chesapeake Energy Arena, readying for tip-off, when it was revealed that Utah’s Rudy Gobert, who has since-recovered, tested positive for the coronavirus. The game was cancelled. Then, the NBA season was suspended indefinitely.
“That night, it was crazy,” Paul recently told USA TODAY Sports. “My first instinct was to get back to my family. Everyone thinks about the game and what happened that night. But my first instinct was to get back to my family, to my wife and kids.”
During his first season with Oklahoma City, Paul had spent little time with his wife, Jada, 10-year-old son, Chris, and 7-year-old daughter, Camryn, who live in Encino, California. Even though the future Hall of Famer was having another incredible season while leading the Thunder to a surprising 40-24 record, Paul has been grateful for the time away from the game.
Man... thoughts and prayers with you and the entire family @KarlTowns ðŸ™ðŸ¾
— Chris Paul (@CP3) April 13, 2020
“This is the most we’ve all been able to be together,” Paul said. “That’s the case for a lot of families at home. It’s one of those things where you learn new things and learn not to take some things for granted.
“I’m a hell of a competitor. But I think, first and foremost, I’m a human being.”
Paul’s gratitude has only increased since learning Timbewolves centre Karl-Anthony Towns’ mother, Jacqueline Cruz, died from COVID-19. Paul reached out to his friend, offering “to be a sounding board,” while acknowledging, “at 34, I don’t think I’m strong enough to endure what he is going through.”
“This has been a time to understand how real time is with my family,” Paul said.
This article originally appeared in the NY Post and has been reproduced with permission.
Originally published as Chris Paul relives the night the coronavirus shutdown the NBA