The National Basketball Association (NBA) said on Wednesday it was suspending the season until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus. The positive result was reported shortly before the Jazz were due to play the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena, and the game was promptly cancelled. The NBA said that Jazz center Rudy Gobert, was not in the arena.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
The NBA playoffs were scheduled to tip off on April 18 with the finals set to begin on June 4. Following the NBA’s announcement, the National Hockey League said it was consulting with medical experts and would have a further update on Thursday.
