Two Los Angeles Lakers players have tested positive for COVID-19. The team announced the news in a statement on Thursday evening.
According to Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, 14 Lakers players were tested for COVID-19:
Fourteen players out of the Lakers' 17-man roster (including two-way contracts) were tested, league sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Several players were granted permission earlier in the week to leave town, sources told ESPN.
Lakers players arrived at the test site and never left their vehicles during the procedure, which involved a cotton swab being placed up players' nostrils to secure a culture. The test took a matter of minutes, according to sources. The Lakers will now test coaches and support staff who had close contact with the players, sources told ESPN.
The Lakers' last game before the NBA suspended play was against the Brooklyn Nets on March 10 at Staples Center. Four Nets players have tested positive for the coronavirus, including two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant.
Los Angeles starting center JaVale McGee's sister, Imani McGee-Stafford, took to Twitter on Thursday to report that her brother was not one of the two players which tested positive for COVID-19:
My brother safe, stop saying he got the rona. Thank you.
– Management
— Imani McGee-Stafford (@imanitrishawn_) March 20, 2020
The Lakers had the best record in the Western Conference prior to play being suspended. Los Angeles was an impressive 49-14.
If the season resumes, the LakeShow will have 19 games left in the regular season. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis were putting up superstar numbers. Los Angeles fans are hoping the season resumes so James and Davis at least have the chance of leading the franchise to banner No. 17.
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