Report: Donovan Mitchell Tests Positive For Coronavirus; Rudy Gobert 'Careless' In Jazz Locker Room
BOSTON (CBS) -- The NBA has got a real coronavirus problem on its hands. And it may just be starting.
After Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday night, teammate Donovan Mitchell has tested positive a day later.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added that Gobert (who made it a point to touch every microphone after a press conference this week, in an effort to mock the new protocols aimed at limiting human-to-human contact) was "careless" in the Utah locker room during the week, "touching other players and their belongings."
That news certainly adds a new level of concern for the spread of the virus, both within the Jazz locker room as well as for teams that played against the Jazz and officials who shared a floor with the Jazz.
That list of teams includes the Celtics, who played in Utah on Feb. 26 and who hosted the Jazz last Friday on March 6. The Celtics are among a handful of recent Jazz opponents who were placed in self-quarantine.
After Gobert's illness was deemed to have come as a result of COVID-19, the NBA abruptly announced that the remainder of the season would be suspended. A game in Sacramento set to tip off after 10 p.m. ended up being canceled, after teams learned that one of the referees assigned to their game had worked a Jazz game recently.
Mitchell posted a message to Instagram.
"Thanks to everyone who has been reaching out since hearing the news about my positive test," Mitchell wrote. "We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realize that they need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them. I appreciate the authorities in Oklahoma who were helpful with the testing process and everyone from the @utahjazz who have been so supportive. I am going to keep following the advice of our medical staff and hope that we can all come together and be there for each other and our neighbors who need our help."
Gobert posted an Instagram message as well, nothing that among his many feelings, embarrassment was one of them.
"I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours. I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis…mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment," Gobert wrote. "The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse. I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously. I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus. I am under great care and will fully recover. Thank you again for all your support. I encourage everyone to take all of the steps to stay safe and healthy. Love."
Clearly, the virus is capable of spreading swiftly through the NBA. And though the rest of the tests from Wednesday came back negative, it seems likely that Mitchell's positive test may not be the final one for the league.
