Just as the NBA was entering its home stretch with roughly 15-20 games left for the 2019-20 season, a bombshell was dropped by Commissioner Adam Silver on Wednesday.
It was announced that the NBA season will be suspended indefinitely after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19 (aka coronavirus).
While a game was going on involving the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, the Jazz/Thunder game that was scheduled was postponed after Gobert was tested positive for the virus.
Players around the league – young and old – responded with utter shock, including rookies Kevin Porter Jr., Eric Paschall, and presumptive Rookie of the Year Ja Morant.
wow bro wow
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) March 12, 2020
This has been a wild rookie year!
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) March 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/Kevinporterjr/status/1237919564148682755
Former Sixth Man of the Year CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers went a more pragmatic direction with his response, as he pondered how many players had saved up their money – considering they won’t get paid without the games going on.
No games no pay 👀 hope everybody saved properly https://t.co/mxrdpvNalf
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 12, 2020
Isaiah Thomas of the Washington Wizards responded more humorously, as he harkened back to the classic film Space Jam in which players refused to take the court due to the Monstars stealing their talent.
Space Jam all over again
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) March 12, 2020
Evan Turner, Bradley Beal, and Zach LaVine all responded with simple statements of utter shock, as the NBA canceling its games due to an infectious illness is something unprecedented in the history of professional sports.
THIS SHIT WILD!
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) March 12, 2020
Damn
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) March 12, 2020
Wow
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) March 12, 2020
Even players not currently in the NBA, such as Jeremy Lin and Jamal Crawford, responded with supporting messages that belied their surprise:
Praying for everyone !
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) March 12, 2020
Not gonna lie, I'm scared. But need to remind myself that God is ALWAYS in control. Always. Revelation 1:17 🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 12, 2020
First-time All-Stars’ Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young also chimed in with their thoughts and prayers.
2020 is being very bad year!! stay safe folks🙏
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) March 12, 2020
Man… This stuff crazy… Praying for EVERYBODY in this tough time🙏🏽
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 12, 2020
This is shocking news, and since this is a developing story, expect far more updates as more details become available.
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