NBA season suspended after Rudy Gobert tests positive for coronavirus

Basketball fans have been left in disbelief after the entire league was postponed “until further notice” after a positive coronavirus test.

On Thursday morning the NBA was considering moving towards playing games in front of empty stadiums.

By lunchtime the entire league had been suspended after Utah Jazz All Star big man Rudy Gobert returned a preliminary positive test for coronavirus.

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A game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was called off shortly before it was scheduled to get underway after Gobert’s positive test was returned prior to tip-off.

A statement from the league announced the season would be put on hold following the completion of today’s games “until further notice”.

RELATED: Keep up to date with coronavirus news

“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’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”.

Gobert was not in attendance in the arena. One of his teammates is Australian star Joe Ingles.

BASKETBALL WORLD REACTS TO SUSPENSION

The wild scenes unfolded in rapid time with the news of the league being put on hold leaving basketball faithful stunned.

Single craziest day in NBA history. It’s not even close. Stay safe out there everybody.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 12, 2020

Was just on the phone with Rudy. He is doing good man. Lets not panick everyone. Love you all❤️

— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) March 12, 2020

All 30 NBA teams can be connected in just the last 5 days.

The NBA made the right decision to suspend this season. pic.twitter.com/jUy3X5zwTj

— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 12, 2020

Little girl at postponed Kings game crying...appears to say 'This is my first game" while hugging her dad. pic.twitter.com/qgVMN77mSk

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) March 12, 2020

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s reaction to the news the season was being suspended was captured as his team was in the middle of a game against the Denver Nuggets.

Mark Cuban reacts moments after the NBA season was suspended. pic.twitter.com/4g8Z7yLts6

— ESPN (@espn) March 12, 2020

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker was livestreaming on Twitch when he was informed of the league being suspended.

“WTF bro...”

Devin Booker found out the NBA was suspended while on Twitch. pic.twitter.com/m0TERskT2Q

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) March 12, 2020

FALLOUT FROM POSITIVE TEST

The Utah Jazz players remain inside the arena four hours after the game was called off, but have now finished being tested by nurses.

ESPN reporter Royce Young has stated the team is likely to stay overnight in the arena with the Jazz looking into chartering a bus to get the team back to Utah.

Teams who have played the Jazz over the past 10 days have been told to self-quarantine. The teams in question are the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors players underwent precautionary test for coronavirus following the news, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Raptors players were also given precautionary tests for coronavirus tonight, sources said. https://t.co/Rk1wYmFV14

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020

UTAH JAZZ STATEMENT ON GOBERT

The Jazz released a statement detailing Gobert was sent for a precautionary test which returned a preliminary positive result.

“This morning a player on the Utah Jazz tested negative for influenza, strep throt and an upper respiratory infection. The individual’s symptoms diminshed over the course of today, however, in a precautionary measure, and in consultation and cooperation with NBA medical staff and Oklahoma health officals, the decion was made to test for COVID-19,” the statement read.

From the Jazz: pic.twitter.com/v8WCH3g27u

— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) March 12, 2020

Gobert made light of the ongoing coronavirus situation two days ahead of the contest when he ignored league precautions to isolate players from the media.

At the completion of a media availabilty which was conducted with Gobert at a distance from the reporters, the big man leaned over and touched every reporters recorder.

As part of the Jazz’s COVID-19 response, shootaround availability was done in the ZBBC media room today rather than on the court. As Rudy Gobert got finished discussing the situation, he stood up, leaned over and made it a point to touch every mic and recorder in front of him. 😂

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) March 9, 2020

The final game of the day was scheduled to take place between the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans but both teams pushed for the game to be called off and shortly before tip-off the announcement was made for the game to be abandoned.

FANS REACTION AFTER GAME ABANDONED

All Jazz and Thunder players were taken from the court and back to the locker rooms as fans waited to find out if the game would be played.

After over half an hour of fans sitting and waiting for an official update, the stadium announcer stated the game was being postponed before telling all those in attendance “you’re all safe”.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the game tonight has been postponed. You’re all safe. Take time in leaving the arena.”

.@royceyoung reports that the Thunder-Jazz game was seconds away from tipping off when the Thunder's head medical staffer sprinted onto the floor to talk to referees in Oklahoma City.

At that point, players and staff were sent back to their respective locker rooms. pic.twitter.com/WsSOU09kVP

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2020

Fans in attendance booed loudly as the announcement was read out that the game was being called off.

Close to an hour after the game was abandoned, players remained isolated in the locker rooms and confusion surrounded just what was unfolding.

Talks in the NBA had been ongoing between the league and owners about games taking place in front of empty stands with a majority of owners leaning towards playing without fans.

But following today’s events unfolding the league opted to put the entire season on hold.