The NBA was fully prepared to go forward with games with no fans before Rudy Gobert's positive coronavirus test quickly resulted in a suspension of the 2019-20 season. Gobert's positive test acted as a wake-up call and really got people around the league paying attention to COVID-19.

Before the suspension, the league held calls with owners and executives to determine the best course of action. While most teams realized playing games with fans wasn't an option, the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers reportedly expressed a desire to continue playing with fans.

One executive suggested to Ben Golliver of The Washington Post there were actually a number of teams that were truly “clueless” about the potential scale of this coronavirus pandemic:

“I was shocked by the number of teams that were clueless at the size that [the coronavirus] would get to,” said one high-ranking executive privy to leaguewide conversations. “Some teams that hadn’t faced an outbreak in their communities didn’t think it was worth talking about.”

Article Continues Below
More Utah Jazz News
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives against Xavier Musketeers forward Jerome Hunter (2) in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Round game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Xavier Musketeers at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Friday, March 21, 2025. Xavier was eliminated from the tournament, losing 86-73, to Illinois.
3 players Utah Jazz must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftZachary Howell ·
Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy alongside a shadowy player in an Utah Jazz jersey, NBA Draft pick
Utah Jazz’s perfect outcome for No. 5 pick in 2025 NBA DraftDavid Yapkowitz ·
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) steals the ball from Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the second quarter at Delta Center.
Bill Simmons brainstorms Paul George for Lauri Markkanen 76ers-Jazz tradePreston Byers ·
Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge looks on before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Delta Center. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
NBA rumors: Jazz already talking with fellow lottery team on tradeJake Faigus ·
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) reacts after a basket with forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at State Farm Arena.
New Jazz executive shuts down tanking narrativeBenedetto Vitale ·
Danny Ainge best NBA trade deadline assets
Jazz hire Danny Ainge’s son to lead front officeMalik Brown ·

Once Gobert tested positive, though, the decision to suspend the season was easy. Owners were reportedly fully aware that just a single positive test would result in a suspension. Donovan Mitchell soon became the second player to test positive for COVID-19.

The big question now is just how long this hiatus lasts. The initial timeline is 30 days, but it's hard to see it not dragging out longer than that given what has happened in other countries. While the NBA would prefer to resume the 2019-20 season again at some point down the line, potentially even playing deep into the summer, there is still a possibility of a full cancellation.

Players are currently being told to remain in their home market to effectively self-quarantine as the NBA does its best to combat the spread of this virus.