The National Basketball Association and its players union have announced that 16 players have tested positive for Covid-19 in the league’s first phase of testing.
According to the NBA’s protocols for its return amid the Covid-19 pandemic, any player who tested positive will remain in self-isolation until he satisfies public health protocols for discontinuing isolation and has been cleared by a physician.
The names of the 16 players were not disclosed. However, players including Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Kings shooter Buddy Hield and Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon, among others, publicly revealed that they have contracted the virus, but are progressing and feeling well, and plan to join their teams in Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, where NBA will finish out its season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the positive cases were “roughly as expected” and that none of the 16 were seriously ill.
Other players, including Lakers guard Avery Bradley, Trailblazers forward Trevor Ariza and Wizards stretch big Davis Bertans have announced that they will sit out the rest of the season due to personal and family health concerns.
Players who elect not to play in NBA’s Disney bubble for whatever reason will not receive penalties. However, they will be deducted 1.1 percent of their salary.
Each of the 22 teams will play eight games in Orlando for seeding purposes.
The NBA’s return will be on July 30. (John Ezekiel Hirro)