The NBA has suspended all games until further notice, after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for COVID-19.

Rudy Gobert joked about the virus earlier in the week
Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images
The National Basketball Association has announced that it will suspend all games after tonight until further notice, following a player on the Utah Jazz testing positive for COVID-19. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the association said in a statement.
The Jazz were in Oklahoma City to play the Thunder this evening, but the game was called off right before it was due to start, with players already introduced and the arena packed with fans. Utahs star center Rudy Gobert was the player who tested positive for coronavirus, according to The Athletics Shams Charania. The NBA says the player was not in the arena tonight.
A surreal scene played out on TV as match officials discussed the situation with coaches and stadium staff, with the commentators confused as to what was happening. Ultimately, the game was postponed over the PA system due to unforeseen circumstances, with the announcer assuring fans that you are all safe.
Gobert had made light of the coronavirus outbreak earlier in the week, making a point to touch all of the microphones and recording equipment in the media room during a press conference.
Rudy Gobert thought it was funny to touch every single mic and recorder in the media room.
Now, he has Coronavirus and the entire NBA season is suspendedpic.twitter.com/A22U5AgmBi
Sports ReUp (@SportsReUp) March 12, 2020
The NBA had already been considering its response to the COVID-19 situation, with reports suggesting that games could be played in empty arenas. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers drew criticism for saying that hed refuse to play under such conditions, though he later walked back his comments.
View all 179 stories