NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the league’s suspension will last at least 30 days
The NBA season was officially suspended indefinitely Wednesday night in light of escalating COVID-19 fears in the United States and around the world. Immediately, there was no timetable of when/if play would resume this season.
Thursday night, on NBA on TNT, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke to the suspension of the season and gave a few more specifics.
Speaking on TNT, Silver confirmed that play in the Association will be halted for at least 30 days. Protocol after that – whether that means the league will return to play or suspend the season further or cancel it altogether – will be decided in the coming weeks.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discusses the timetable for the league’s suspension. pic.twitter.com/tterVvR29r
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 13, 2020
Late Wednesday night, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Rudy Gobert had tested positive for COVID-19, which led to the NBA immediately suspending the regular season. Thursday morning, Shams continued on his report stating that Donovon Mitchell was the only other Jazz member to test positive for the virus.
There are several other teams reportedly in self-quarantine after the positive test results from Gobert and Mitchell, and the league has informed all 30 teams policies in place during the life of the suspension.
The NBA has informed all 30 teams on policies effective immediately and through March 16, including:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
- All players must remain in market of team
- Players remain home as long as possible
- NO group workouts, practices
- Team physicians/trainers speak to each player once a day
The NBA is clearly not taking any chances and has taken the lead in the sports world to shut down its operations for, at least, the next 30 days. Considering what is happening around the world, this seems like the be the safe and smart play here.
Following the NBA’s lead, every other major sport in America – and many around the world – have also decided to halt its operations over the next few weeks in an attempt to get a handle on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NBA will be back at some point; that’s certainly the hope. The big unknown is when. Perhaps that will be in 30 days, perhaps longer. The safety of the NBA’s players, employees, and fans should be a priority right now.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.