NBA Season Suspended Indefinitely Due To Coronavirus Fears

The NBA season has been indefinitely suspended after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for the Coronavirus.

The announcement was made shortly after Gobert tested positive, just hours prior to tip-off of the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder game.

The NBA has suspended the season in the wake of the Coronavirus Crisis. Its official statement: pic.twitter.com/x3X6pddmSq

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 12, 2020

The announcement led to a surreal scene in Oklahoma City, where a PA announcer told attendees the Jazz-Thunder game had been cancelled, repeatedly telling would-be attendees, "you are all safe."

What a scene. Game between Thunder and Jazz postponed with everyone in the stands. “You are all safe,” PA announcer says repeatedly. pic.twitter.com/1FOeLHYYC6

— Alex Kantrowitz (@Kantrowitz) March 12, 2020

Not long after the announcement was made, a video of Gobert touching microphones at press conference began circulating, which has received upwards of 3.8 million views.

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 move marks one of the most drastic actions taken by the sporting world in response to the global pandemic. Whereas some leagues and the NCAA have begun to play games with no or limited attendance, the NBA forewent that measure. The Jazz and Thunder players were reportedly quarantined in the Oklahoma City arena, and teams that have played the Jazz in recent days have been asked to self-quarantine.

While fears of the Coronavirus initially seemed alarmist, some have theorized that the suspension of the NBA season as well as the confirmation of Tom Hanks' recent diagnosis has made the virus a more pressing reality for the general populace.

Eyes are now on the NHL and the NCAA, whose famed "March Madness" tournament is set to begin this month, to see what steps they will take.