Mark Berman: #Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute (@Luc Richard Mbah a Moute) explained on Zoom with the media why he had been out: “Because I was sick. I had the COVID. I was actually sick and down for like 10 days. Then recovering and all of that stuff & then getting the testing. That’s why I was delayed..” pic.twitter.com/HimP9ot59K
More on Coronavirus Positives
Jackson Gatlin: Luc Mbah a Moute confirming his delay was due to COVID. "It was tough. I'm blessed to come out of it. I pray for those in this situation. By the grace of the Lord I got through it." #Rockets
Milwaukee Bucks reserve guard Pat Connaughton flew to Florida on Saturday after a positive coronavirus test had kept him from joining his teammates at Walt Disney World two weeks earlier. The Bucks tweeted a video of Connaughton sitting in an airplane and saying, "heading to Orlando to meet up with my teammates."
Tim Reynolds: The arrivals for Kendrick Nunn and Bam Adebayo at Disney were delayed "multiple times" because they would pass the first of two required coronavirus tests - then fail the second one, sources tell AP. They had to pass two in a row before being cleared to come to Disney.
Ira Winderman: Nunn confirms he and Adebayo both had COVID-19, said they spoke about since they were dealing with same thing.
Ira Winderman: Kendrick Nunn on having been ill and sidelined, "My health comes first. I had mild symptoms. It wasn't as bad. It felt like a common cold. I'm just glad I got over it."
Shams Charania: Phoenix Suns center Aron Baynes (@AronBaynes) tells me on @Stadium that he tested positive for coronavirus and opens up about how virus has impacted life for over a month for him, his wife and kids:
Gina Mizell: Baynes says he is hopeful that he can join the #Suns at some point during the restart, but has not recorded the two negative tests the NBA requires to travel to Orlando.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement he shared with the Journal Sentinel and ESPN on Monday. "I did not travel with our team after I tested positive for COVID-19," Connaughton wrote in his statement. "I am healthy and I feel great and I am excited to join my teammates in Orlando once I meet all the NBA protocols."
The hardest working muscle in an NBA player’s body will get extra attention if there is a COVID-19 positive test. NBA officials and teams will play close attention to a player’s heart. Before a player returns from a positive test, he must satisfy specific requirements: isolation period, absence of symptoms, two negative tests at least 24 hours apart and cardiac screening. Why cardiac screening? “The concern is really an extension of what all of the professional teams are doing already, and that’s protecting their athletes from cardiac events more so than they have in the last five years or so,” cardiologist Matthew Martinez told USA TODAY Sports. “That extension now is with COVID-19 because initial reports said this had a high prevalence of involving hospitalized patients. Those were sicker patients and about 30% were reported to have cardiac involvement. That was what really tipped things off.”
While much remains unknown and as researchers are learning more about COVID-19, the NBA ensured cardiac screen is part of its extensive health and safety protocols. An abundance of caution rules the day, and heart injuries from COVID-19 are something other sports will need to watch, too The screening is three-pronged: troponin testing – which can detect heart injury in the blood; electrocardiogram – which measures heart function; and an echocardiogram – which generates images of the heart to assess left ventricular function. “All three have to be done, and it’s really a comprehensive way to screen for active inflammation or damage to the muscle as well as perhaps a prior episode,” Martinez said.
Even players who have not tested positive but have had symptoms associated with COVID-19 within the past three months also must undergo an evaluation. “There are ongoing discussions between sports medicine specialists and cardiologists about ways in which COVID-19 can affect the heart,” said John DiFiori, the NBA’s director of sports medicine and chief of primary sports medicine and attending physician at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery. “Our cardiac screening protocols are a reflection of the very cautious approach we’re taking on any potential cardiac-related complications from the virus, because early research has shown that in some cases serious conditions can arise. We are working closely with the NBPA, and our collective group of consultants, to understand and apply the emerging data, given that our knowledge of this virus is limited since it first appeared only seven months ago.”
Eric Bledsoe has tested positive for COVID-19. The Milwaukee Bucks guard told Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes that he hopes to join his teammates soon in the NBA bubble at Disney World. “He’s not feeling any symptoms and he really feels good,” Haynes reported. “He’s hoping to get here as soon as possible.”
Chris Haynes: My report on the bubble absence of Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe who told me he tested positive for Covid-19, but is symptom-free. @NBAonTNT
Malika Andrews: Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe, who is not in Orlando with the Bucks, tells ESPN: “I tested positive for COVID-19. I am asymptomatic and feeling fine. Once I meet the NBA protocols, I look forward to joining my teammates in Orlando.”
Marc Stein: Orlando's James Ennis III disclosed that he recently tested positive for the coronavirus but has recovered and, after gaining clearance, practiced today for the first time with the Magic
Josh Robbins: On a Zoom call with reporters, James Ennis III said he was the Magic player who tested positive for COVID-19. Ennis said he had a headache for 4-5 days and some nausea. Ennis said he's feeling well, and he practiced today for the first time in the bubble.
Malika Andrews: Per league memo to teams obtained by ESPN, the NBA is addressing concerns about players who have recovered from COVID and continue to test positive. Teams have been concerned about false positive tests possibly sidelining healthy players.
Shams Charania: Nets forward Michael Beasley tested positive for coronavirus, returned home and his roster status is up in the air, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Shams Charania: Kings forward Harrison Barnes says he has tested positive for coronavirus, is in quarantine and will join the team in Orlando when he clears.
Stadium: A source tells our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania that Rockets star James Harden is feeling fine, working out and may travel with Russell Westbrook to Orlando when Westbrook clears from coronavirus.
Michael C. Wright: Mike D'Antoni on Russell Westbrook's revelation today: "He said what he said, and that’s what we’re dealing with. A lot of teams are dealing with it, but we’re getting through it as a team."
Shams Charania: Sources: Two NBA players have tested positive out of the 322 tested on NBA campus on July 7.
Chris Haynes: Of the 322 players tested for Covid-19 since arriving on July 7, two players tested positive, the league announces. pic.twitter.com/MMatWQUbkd
Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook says he has tested positive for coronavirus. Westbrook tweeted Monday that he tested positive before his Rockets teammates were scheduled to travel to Walt Disney World for the resumption of the NBA season Westbrook tweeted he is "currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining my teammates when I am cleared."
Walton said it is expected that all will pass the NBA protocol in place, which includes two negative COVID-19 test results before rejoining the team in Florida. “We’re still in the protocol,” Walton said during a Zoom media session on Friday afternoon. “I’m not going to get into names, I’ll make that a personal decision, but from the travel party, out of the 35 (member travel party for Orlando), we left four people back. From those four, nobody has passed NBA protocol yet to rejoin us, but we are hopeful that some of them are getting close.” It is known that three Kings players have tested positive for coronavirus over the past several weeks. Buddy Hield, Alex Len, Jabari Parker, as well as a fourth unidentified member of the team.
Ava Wallace: Garrison Mathews, Thomas Bryant and Gary Payton did not travel with the Wizards to Orlando, per sources. Mathews for personal reasons. Bryant and Payton have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Brooklyn Nets forward Taurean Prince has tested positive for the coronavirus and will sit out the NBA’s restart in Orlando, sources tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Prince is the fourth Nets player – including DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie and Wilson Chandler – to opt-out of the league’s restart. Nets are eligible to sign four substitute players. Team departed this evening for Orlando.
Tim Reynolds: Magic updates: Al-Farouq Aminu did not accompany the Magic into the bubble today for rehab-related reasons. Another Magic player has tested positive and he - name not disclosed - is not at Disney yet. Markelle Fultz has a personal matter that he has been excused to address.
John Hollinger: Follow up: Hearing that Pelicans' Thornwell signing is a COVID replacement, but for privacy reasons they can't name the player.
After receiving the results of a Friday round of testing for the coronavirus, the Milwaukee Bucks shut down the team's practice facility for workouts until the team departs for Orlando, Florida, this week, sources told ESPN. It was not immediately clear if there was more than one positive test, but the team plans to keep the facility closed for workouts until the team's traveling party departs for the league's restart in Orlando on Thursday, sources said.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Milwaukee Bucks have shut down the team’s practice facility after receiving results of a Friday round of coronavirus testing, sources tell ESPN. The team isn’t expected to reopen facility for workouts prior to the organization's traveling party leaving for Orlando Thursday.
Matt Velazquez: League source confirms the @Adrian Wojnarowski report that the Bucks have closed their practice facility following Friday’s round of coronavirus testing. The Bucks are not expected to have any further sessions at their practice facility before Thursday when they leave for Orlando.
Sefolosha, who hails from Switzerland, told Swiss media that some of his Rockets teammates had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including one with whom he had been close with for a few days in Houston. Sefolosha has a wife and two daughters, and an English translation of the report indicates that they factored into his decision.
Ethan Skolnick: Due to a positive test for Covid-19, the Miami Heat will be closing their facility for anything but testing, and will not practice until they get to Orlando. My policy and @5ReasonsSports policy is not to release the name of anyone who tests positive.
Serena Winters: An update from the NBA & NBPA on additional positive coronavirus tests. 25 total players (of 351) have tested positive since testing started on June 23rd. (7.1%) 10 total team staffers (of 884) have tested positive. (1.1%)
Spencer Dinwiddie: Day 6: I haven’t been in the bed this much since my surgery 😩...back to sleep I go
Tim Reynolds: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is doing a Time 100 talk today and said again that if conditions in the bubble get bad, the NBA will stop. "If cases are isolated, that's one thing. .. But if we had a lot of cases, we're going to stop." He also says he won't be there the whole time.
Michael Singer: Updated: 2 members of #Nuggets traveling party tested positive over weekend. Since then, another member of the traveling party has also tested positive. All 3 are asymptomatic, according to source. That's at least 6 cases w/in organization since March.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Two Brooklyn Nets have tested positive for the coronavirus -- Jordan and Spencer Dinwiddie. Jordan has opted-out of Orlando, and Dinwiddie is strongly considering the same. Nets will sign a substitute for Jordan, per sources. Nets are presently the seventh seed in East.
Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie told The Athletic he has tested positive for coronavirus, creating doubt over his status for the NBA restart. “Over the past few months, I have been diligent about protecting myself and others from COVID-19 by following all designated protocol and quarantining,” Dinwiddie told The Athletic.
“I was ready and prepared to rejoin my teammates as we were to be an early entry team in the resumed season. I flew private to return to New York, passed multiple COVID-19 tests over my first several days in New York and was able to participate in a couple practices within the first week."
“Originally, we were supposed to be one of the teams to enter into the Orlando bubble early, but training camp got switched back to New York and unfortunately I am now positive. Given that I have experienced symptoms, including fever and chest tightness, it is unclear on whether or not I’ll be able to participate in Orlando. “Hindsight is 20/20.”
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sixteen NBA players have tested positive for the coronvavirus of 302 players tested, sources tells ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Tests were administered on Tuesday within teams.
Adrian Wojnarowski: League has now announced those results.
Shams Charania: Kings center Alex Len says he has tested positive for coronavirus. Statement from Len, who emerged as key rotation piece for Sacramento prior to NBA hiatus:
Sara Hodges: According to a source close to the @SacramentoKings at least 4 players have tested positive for COVID-19. The unnamed players will self-isolate for 14 days and will need two negative tests before entering the facility or before heading to Orlando, FL @CBSSacramento
Shams Charania: Kings center Alex Len says he has tested positive for coronavirus. Statement from Len, who emerged as key rotation piece for Sacramento prior to NBA hiatus:
Sara Hodges: According to a source close to the @SacramentoKings at least 4 players have tested positive for COVID-19. The unnamed players will self-isolate for 14 days and will need two negative tests before entering the facility or before heading to Orlando, FL @CBSSacramento
Shams Charania: Kings guard Buddy Hield has tested positive for coronavirus, sources tell me and @Sam Amick.
Sean Cunningham: NBA sources confirm Buddy Hield testing positive for COVID-19. Buddy had been back in the Dallas area, then played in the Skinz League Game two weeks ago in Oklahoma where he scored 45 points.
Today, Sacramento Kings forward Jabari Parker issued the following statement: “Several days ago I tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately self-isolated in Chicago which is where I remain. I am progressing in my recovery and feeling well. I look forward to joining my teammates in Orlando as we return to the court for the resumption of the NBA season.”
Sam Amick: Source says the Kings’ recent Corey Brewer addition was a response to the revelation that Jabari Parker had tested positive. As I wrote today, the timeline for a positive test turnaround in Orlando is tight
Sean Cunningham: According to multiple sources, the Sacramento Kings have had a player test positive for COVID-19. The identity of the player is not known.
Scott Agness: Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon confirms that he tested positive for coronavirus. "I'm doing well, feeling well and progressing well. I plan to join my teammates in Orlando for the resumption of the NBA season and playoffs."
J. Michael Falgoust: Malcolm Brogdon has tested positive for COVID-19, league sources tells @IndyStarSports
Nuggets franchise center Nikola Jokic has tested positive for the coronavirus and is currently back in Serbia, multiple league sources told The Denver Post. Citing medical privacy, the Nuggets declined comment.
All NBA players were to be back in market on June 22, and players who were overseas were to be back in market on June 15. Jokic was granted an exception by the NBA to stay in Sombor longer, however, during his recent trip, he tested positive.
Eight days ago Jokic was in Belgrade for an exhibition basketball game. One of the players who participated in the game, and was later seen in close proximity to Jokic, tested positive soon after.
Patrick Ewing: I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
