Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy reportedly addressed the possibility of a pandemic at a 2016 NBA board of governors meeting, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.

The NBA was forced to suspend play last Wednesday after Utah Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19:

The NBA began to activate its pandemic protocols from the crisis management guide it distributes internally and to teams every year.

Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy had advised the league on the need for such planning years earlier, even addressing the possibility of a pandemic at a 2016 board of governors meeting, according to sources.

Murthy recently met with the NBA again. He told them the league did the right thing by shutting play down.

The NBA is hoping to resume play in July or August. With the CDC recommending no gatherings of 50 or more people for two months, basketball is about to be in a long hiatus.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) drives to the basket between Atlanta Hawks forward Georges Niang (20) and center Clint Capela (15) during the first half at State Farm Arena.
NBA rumors: Pistons ‘weighing run’ at Heat sharpshooter in free agencyBen Strauss ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Bill Simmons already has a Lakers-Cavs-Jazz LeBron James trade ideaRishav Bhat ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Lakers insider reveals ‘buzz’ for LeBron James trade to MavericksTroy Finnegan ·
Collin Sexton in Charlotte Hornets jersey wearing #2 and Jusuf Nurkic in Utah Jazz jersey wearing #27 with a purple background
Grading Hornets-Jazz trade involving Collin Sexton, Jusuf NurkicKris Pursiainen ·
The Grizzlies started their 2025 NBA Draft in aggressive fashion by trading up for Cedric Coward.
Memphis Grizzlies 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
The Raptors 2025 NBA Draft class hails from the SEC.
Toronto Raptors 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·

After Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, Jazz star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell was the next one to get it. He was followed by Detroit Pistons big man Christian Wood and Brooklyn Nets superstar small forward Kevin Durant, who hasn't even played this NBA season because of his Achilles tear.

Thursday brought on more bad news for the NBA. The Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers all have someone in the organization with COVID-19.

—

Follow ClutchPoints on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook. We can also be found on Flipboard where you can subscribe and follow us.

All of our NBA content can be found on the NBA section of the ClutchPoints home page here. For all of our college basketball content, click here.

Follow games live by downloading the ClutchPoints App and heading to the scores tab under the NBA section.