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In an unprecedented turn of events, the NBA announced on Wednesday that it has suspended the 2019-2020 season due to the ongoing pandemic associated with the COVID-19 virus, also known as the coronavirus. In this piece, we'll explore three options the league has moving forward.
NBA To Suspend Season Following Tonight's Games pic.twitter.com/2PTx2fkLlW
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2020
The NBA "will use hiatus to determine next steps moving forward," league says. https://t.co/tWoRO8pbfT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020
Cutting it short
Under this circumstance, the 2019-20 campaign would be cut short, with teams around the league holding their current records and eventually advancing into a playoff matchup that will be set for a later date (when its safe enough to resume play).
With roughly 20 games left for most teams, this option could create a bit of discord. The Lakers and Bucks would be granted No. 1 seeds in their respective conference playoffs, while other teams that are currently vying for a spot in the postseason would simply be left out of the equation.
Postponing
At this point, it's not clear how long this campaign will be suspended. If the NBA chooses to postpone the regular season, games would resume once health officials deem it safe it play.
As part of a telephone interview with ESPN's Get Up on Thursday morning, Mavs owner Mark Cuban noted that this is likely the option that the NBA will take. If this course of action comes to pass, regular season games could be played all the way into July (and maybe even August).
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Mavericks owner Mark Cuban just told us on @GetUpESPN that his expectation is that the NBA season will not be canceled – just postponed – and that he could could see NBA games going as late as August this year.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) March 12, 2020
Suspending the season will also lead to other, more unique challenges for some of the lesser-known faces of the NBA, such as the ushers and vendors at arenas. Cuban, who learned about this season's suspension on live television, is taking steps to aid these employees.
Mark Cuban and the Mavericks will aid part-time employees who will be affected by the NBA suspending its season https://t.co/Vs9IjBVNCl pic.twitter.com/tbyObDPLIe
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 12, 2020
Cancellation
A complete cancellation of this season would be the darkest option, though it is certainly within the realm of possibility. All games would cease, including the playoffs, and there would be no 2020 NBA champion.
This may seem like a harsh option, but consider the fact that two NBA players have already tested positive for coronavirus. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was the first confirmed case in the league. Then, on Thursday morning, news came down the wire stating that his teammate, Donovan Mitchell, had also tested positive.
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell has tested positive for the coronavirus, league sources tell ESPN. Jazz players privately say that Rudy Gobert had been careless in the locker room touching other players and their belongings. Now a Jazz teammate has tested positive.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020
As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been at least 116,000 coronavirus cases worldwide, according to CBS News. While 64,000 people have recovered, more than 4,000 have died.
These are uncertain times in the sporting world. Leagues around the globe have made similar decisions with regards to suspending their seasons or banning fan attendance. For now, we await a decision from NBA officials.
