One of the NBA Draft's best scouting events, the Portsmouth Invitational in April, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

The NBA season was canceled on Wednesday shortly after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus. Jazz star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell contracted it as well, but no one else on the team has it.

The NBA is expected be placed on hold for at least 30 days, but everyone inside the league is aware the hiatus could last much longer than that.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
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 ·
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has some newcomers via the 2025 NBA Draft class.
LA Clippers 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) warms up before game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden with the Clippers logo in the background and the Spurs logo in the background
NBA rumors: Clippers to battle Spurs for Celtics free agentJosue Pavon ·
San Antonio Spurs point guard Chris Paul (3) looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
NBA rumors: Chris Paul reunion with Suns or Clippers is a possibilityTroy Finnegan ·

NBA commissioner Adam Silver wrote a letter to basketball fans on Thursday saying the league will resume play “if and when it becomes safe for all concerned.” While Silver has not ruled out suspending the season for good, he added that the league could stretch out the season into July if need be:

“Even if we are out for a month, even if we are out for six weeks, we could still restart the season,” Silver said on TNT on Thursday. “It might mean that the Finals take place in July or late July. It was way premature to suggest that we had lost the season.”

The basketball world has stopped due to the quick spread of the infectious disease. Aside from the cancellation of the Portsmouth Invitational, the NCAA has also moved to cancel March Madness.

It is also worth noting that even before the NBA suspended the season, teams had decided to pull out scouts on college conference tournaments.

Even if the games start up again in the summer, so be it. Basketball fans want to watch hoops no matter what month it is.