NBA: One year later, looking back at the night the league shutdown in 2020

NBA Fans, Media Members, and Arena Employees remember the night the NBA postponed the contest between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz on March 11, 2020.

Last night, the Oklahoma City Thunder took on the Dallas Mavericks with no fans in the stands. Earlier this month, the Thunder announced they would not have fans inside Chesapeake Energy Arena for the duration of the season. The scene inside the Peake yesterday evening was different than the events that transpired one year ago.

On March 11, 2020, the Thunder and the Utah Jazz were set to tip-off inside the Peake for an anticipated game with pivotal seeding implications. However, due to a positive COVID-19 test from a Jazz player, the game did not happen, the league suspended the season, and the pandemic took centerstage and changed the world.

This was the final game the Thunder allowed fans into the arena; at least until the 2021-22 season will remain the final time the Peake hit capacity. I reached out to friends, fans, arena employees, and fellow media members to get the inside story of what it was like in attendance on this historic night and this is how they responded starting with long-time season-ticket holder Jon Minks.

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Below is how he recounts his experience that evening with great detail:

It’s all in the Little Details

"Minks: I usually attend games with a friend of mine, but he decided hours before the game not to go. Because he had some pre-existing health issues and was a bit concerned about being in the crowd. I got there probably 20-30 minutes before the game. Obviously, no-one knew what was about to happen. Everything seemed normal I remember the build-up it was a huge game with seeding implications.They go through the normal pre-tipoff routine and I’m hearing the usual ‘Zombie Nation’ song right before tipoff, but it keeps going on and on forever. Which was highly unusual, and then I remember the players being taken off the court and the PA announcement about the start being delayed. Then Frankie J who was supposed to perform at halftime comes out and performs pre-game. I remember some random guy next to me saying “Hey, that’s Frankie J!” I remembered the song but didn’t really remember who Frankie J was after he performs maybe another 15 minutes go by.I’m talking to the usher in my section, and we’re starting to get a feeling the game isn’t gonna be played at all. I remember between the time the players were about to tipoff and the time they made the official postponement announcement I texted several of my friends about the delay saying ‘something very weird is going on here, I think the game is about to be canceled’ We were putting two and two together at this point.Then finally, the PA announcer makes the official announcement. At this point, everyone kinda knew what was probably going on. I think I checked Twitter and rumors were swirling that a Jazz player was ‘showing symptoms.’ I remember one of the ice cream vendors asking me as we exit the building ‘why are they canceling the game’ and I responded ‘I think one of the Utah players was showing symptoms’ not knowing that two players had tested positive. I live in Norman and would ordinarily drive back there after the game, but I remember feeling like I needed to go home to North OKC, where my mom and sister were to tell them about the experience since it wasn’t late. I remember being at the intersection of Classen and 50th when a friend of mine texted me saying ‘Confirmed two Utah players tested positive for COVID.’ I remember being at my mom’s house and telling my mom and sister about the experience, and then we had that Mavs game on when news broke that the entire NBA season was being postponed"

Seasoned Thunder usher Parrish White, tells describes what it was like maintaining order, clearing the Peake, and also having concerns for the staff’s safety:

Safety First

"White: My thoughts on that evening were like wow the buzz in the arena the varying emotions of fans and staff alike. Most of the fans were upset and wanted money back asking when will they be refunded, the others were worried and puzzled as to what that meant to them health-wise and were they at risk. Staff primarily wanted to clear the building get fans out as quickly as we could and get out of the building also. We had concerns for the staff in direct contact in the area of the Jazz players and locker room. Some staff had to stay late and get direction from NBA authorities. Make no mistake it was an interesting night, to say the least!"

Oklahoma City Thunder pre-and post-game host for the Sports Animal Gideon Hamilton shares his perspective from a professional and personal point of view:

Strange Moment in Time

"Hamilton: I try to buy tickets for my parents to go to a game every year. I buy them way ahead of time. That was the game. So leading into that week, we knew eventually fans were not going to be allowed into arenas, and it was going to be soon. But I was happy that night, they would let them in to go to the game. Just like everyone else, we were confused when the game was delayed, because players had already congregated on the court before taking their places for the jump ball. Then, when there was a delay and discussion, I thought it would be left up to the teams whether or not to play, not knowing that the league was about to postpone that game and the season. That was the most shocking thing. It was certainly the strangest moment of my broadcasting career."

Last, but not least, Oklahoma City Thunder fan Calvin Ridley initially suspected a much scary and sinister situation unfolding inside Chesapeake Energy Arena:

It was a scary situation in more ways than one

"Ridley: I happen to be running a little late, so I wasn’t in my seat yet, and all of a sudden they put on PA the announcement. A ton of people were asking questions freaking out that maybe a bomb threat or something else dangerous was happening. Even though the PA announcement said all was safe. It was a pretty scary situation."

All in attendance on March 11, 2020, will forever be ingrained in history and have an incredible story to tell. Everyone will remember this day not only as a significant day in sports history but a significant day in world history. Because it was this day, the epidemic was officially named a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Excellent thread by Royce Young

So it's been a year since that night in OKC... https://t.co/U8fvGqYvQT
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 11, 2021

Late in 2020, it was announced former Thunder guard Chris Paul would be releasing a documentary about this night titled “The Day Sports Stood Still” for HBO Sports. On the anniversary of an infamous night, Thunder Films (the Oklahoma City Thunder’s production company) declared their annual film at the Deadcenter Film Festival would be titled “Pause the Game.”

Fans and media alike are highly anticipating the release of both films.

Now, one year has passed, we have a vaccine available, and we are in the infancy stages of putting the nightmare behind us. I’ll leave you with the same message as a year ago, please stay safe, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and most importantly wear your mask!