Kevin Durant among four Brooklyn Nets players tested positive for coronavirus
The Nets say that of the four, one player is exhibiting symptoms while three are asymptomatic.
Four Brooklyn Nets have tested positive for the coronavirus. While the Nets did not disclose the names, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Twitter that Kevin Durant told him he tested positive.
The Nets released this statement.
"Four Brooklyn Nets players have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Of the four, one player is exhibiting symptoms while three are asymptomatic. All four players are presently isolated and under the care of team physicians.
The organization is currently notifying anyone who has had known contact with the players, including recent opponents, and is working closely with state and local health authorities on reporting. All players and members of the Nets travel party are being asked to remain isolated, closely monitor their health and maintain constant communication with team medical staff. The health of our players and staff is of the highest priority to the organization and the team is doing everything within its power to ensure that those affected receive the best care possible.
As always, we appreciate the support of our fans, partners and surrounding community, and we wish all those who are battling this virus a speedy recovery."
Previously, three NBA players have tested positive for the coronavirus, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons.
Wood’s positive test came following the Pistons’ final game before the NBA suspension, last Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center against the 76ers.
The Nets were on the west coast when the NBA suspended its season. Brooklyn had earned a 104-102 win in Los Angeles against the Lakers on March 10. The Nets then traveled to San Francisco where they were scheduled to face the Golden State Warriors on March 12. Those two teams were going to play in an empty arena due to the spread of the coronavirus in San Francisco. The NBA however, postponed the season the night before on March 11, so the Nets traveled home.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers will be tested for the coronavirus Wednesday and will have a 14-day self-quarantine.
The Sixers had a west coast trip that ended before the Nets’ started. The Sixers played in Los Angeles against the Clippers and Lakers on March 1 and 3, visited Sacramento on March 5 and ended the trip on March 7 against Golden State.
The Sixers then faced Detroit on March 11 and shortly after the game, the news of Gobert’s positive test broke and the NBA then suspended its season.
A Sixers official confirmed confirmed Thursday that the team is trying to arrange for players and staff to receive COVID-19 testing. When asked about the progress of the testing on Tuesday, a team official declined comment.
The Sixers last played the Nets on Feb. 20 at the Wells Fargo Center.