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Two Lakers players test positive for coronavirus

STATEMENT FROM LAKERS

Following four Brooklyn Nets players testing positive for COVID-19, because Los Angeles Lakers’ players were exposed to them during our game against the Nets on March 10, our team physicians and public health officials recommended coronavirus testing for the players.

We learned today that two Lakers players have tested positive. Both players are currently asymptomatic, in quarantine and under the care of the team’s physician.

All players and members of the Lakers staff are being asked to continue to observe self-quarantine and shelter at home guidelines, closely monitor their health, consult with their personal physicians and maintain constant communication with the team.

The health and well-being of our players, our organization, our fans, and all those potentially impacted by this situation is paramount. As always, we appreciate the support of our fans, family and friends, and wish everyone affected by this virus a speedy recovery.

Boston Celtics player tests positive for coronavirus

A Boston Celtics player has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the team, who did not name the player, but shortly after the announcement, guard Marcus Smart confirmed it’s him.

Smart says he feels okay, and is in self-quarantine.

Testing was initiated because of exposure to a known positive case, the Celtics say.

The Celtics player, who is not exhibiting symptoms, has been in isolation for several days and will continue to do so while being monitored by team medical staff.

The team is awaiting further testing results.

Per the Celtics, “taking steps to maintain the health and safety of everyone in our organization and across the NBA remains our top priority, and we will continue to work closely with health officials and the league in addressing this situation.”

Three members of Sixers organization test positive for coronavirus

The Philadelphia 76ers, in consultation with medical experts and the NBA, received the recommendation that certain individuals from the organization, including players, coaches and specific basketball operations support staff, be tested for COVID-19. The tests were secured and processed privately.

Three individuals from the Sixers organization have received positive test results for COVID-19. All other tests results are currently negative. The team says they have reported this information to state and local health authorities as required.

Pursuant to CDC guidelines, the members of the 76ers organization who tested positive for coronavirus are in self-isolation and will be monitored closely by medical professionals.

The Sixers also say that “the health of our players, staff, fans and community is paramount, and we continue to be guided by medical experts at this time. We extend our gratitude and appreciation to the public health and medical communities for their tireless efforts during these challenging times, as well as to our fans and partners for their support.”

Member of Denver Nuggets tests positive for coronavirus

The Denver Nuggets today released a statement that on Thursday, March 19th, a member of the organization tested positive for COVID-19. The person was tested after experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 on March 16th and is currently under the care of team medical staff and in self-isolation.

It’s not known if the person is a player or not.

The testing was undertaken following guidance from state public health officials and team physicians.

The Nuggets say they “will continue to work in coordination with team physicians, public health officials and infectious disease experts, while focusing on the health and safety of everyone in our community.”

There are now seven NBA players that have tested positive for coronavirus, not including this member of the Nuggets, who may or may not be a player.

Thunder players test negative for coronavirus

The Oklahoma City Thunder consulted with infectious disease experts for a recommendation on the players and staff who needed COVID-19 testing based on their exposure at the game on March 11. All results have come back negative — which, as you hopefully know, is a good thing. If you get tested for something bad, coming up “negative” for the test means you don’t have that bad thing.

The Thunder say they will continue to work in coordination with team physicians, public health officials and infectious disease experts, while focusing on the health and safety of everyone in their community.

The team also understandably made sure to point out that they recognize “the stress on the state of Oklahoma’s medical system,” and that they “did not use state resources and chose an alternative path for testing of its personnel.”

In Clippers news, Terance Mann undergoes hand surgery

L.A. Clippers guard-forward Terance Mann underwent surgery yesterday to repair a ligament in his right hand.

Mann suffered the injury during a game on March 8, 2020 while on assignment with the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario.

Mann, 23, has appeared in 35 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 1.6 points and 1.1 assists per game.

The first-year guard out of Florida State spent 20 games with the Clippers’ G League affiliate, averaging 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 35.0 minutes played for Agua Caliente.

No surprise, Kings suspend basketball operations activities

The coronavirus crisis is putting a stop to many things around the world, including most sports competition. Since last Wednesday night, NBA games are on hold. Individual teams can choose to maintain certain levels of activity. But almost all of them that we know of have trimmed activity down to a minimum, with most or all employees working from home.

As for the Sacramento Kings, here’s the Sacramento Bee:

The Kings suspended basketball activities Tuesday night in response to a directive from county health officials, the latest development in the abrupt and increasingly complete shutdown of the NBA due to the coronavirus.

The Kings issued a statement saying all basketball operations activities at the team’s Golden 1 Center practice facility have been suspended until further notice. The team noted that no Kings players have exhibited coronavirus symptoms. The organization acted in accordance with a directive from Sacramento County health officials to “stay at home.”

Basketball operations staff will continue to work remotely, but the team’s practice facility is closed.

Unfortunately, this topic will continues to dominate the news world these days. We’ll keep you updated.

Lakers players will reportedly be tested for coronavirus, then self-quarantine

Sports-related coronavirus news continues, now with the Lakers reportedly set to be tested, and entering 14-day quarantine. Here’s the Los Angeles Times reporting:

The Lakers plan to get their players tested for the coronavirus Wednesday and have asked their players to self-quarantine for 14 days, according to people familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly.

The information was relayed to players during a conference call Tuesday and follows an announcement by the Brooklyn Nets that four players tested positive for the coronavirus, three without symptoms. The Athletic reported that one of those players was injured Nets star Kevin Durant, who was on the trip to Los Angeles last week.

Unfortunately, stories about coronavirus will be dominating the news for the near future.

But we’ll be sure to get fun, regular basketball content to you on a daily basis again — at least on weekdays — starting any day now.

The next offseason is a pivotal one for the Warriors

Teams around the league are all dealing with the same key issue — the coronavirus. But getting more specific, here’s the Mercury News focusing on the Warriors:

In what will be a pivotal offseason for a Warriors organization aiming to vault back into contention next season, the fallout of the coronavirus could impact the quality of its draft pick, how much it is willing to spend on free agents and more.

Beyond the health concerns and the Warriors’ bottom line, this will also impact next season’s salary cap, which is based on a negotiated portion of basketball-related income. Without gate revenue, the league as a whole could stand to lose as much as $500 million, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

Meanwhile, with seven home games at Chase Center likely lost, the Warriors could lose as much as $25 million in revenue, according to a source familiar with the Warriors’ finances. There are also television, radio and advertising partnerships to consider.

Steph, Klay and Dray obviously proved able to do big things together in the past. It’ll be interesting to see who their supporting cast is once the next offseason’s player movement results are set.

Of course, we’re all still hoping to see the rest of this currently-paused season played. But these Warriors are all about the future.

Mavs guard Jalen Brunson undergoes surgery

Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson underwent surgery today to address an injury to the labrum of his right shoulder.

Brunson suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Mavericks game at Atlanta on Feb. 22. The second-year guard has seen action in 57 games (16 starts) for the Mavericks this season with averages of 8.2 points, 3.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 17.9 minutes per contest.

No timetable for his return has been set at this time.