The National Basketball Association suspended its current season on Wednesday evening after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19. The announcement came on March 11 after a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City was postponed.
The NBA’s suspension is the latest in a series of major cancellations linked to COVID-19 that includes Mobile World Congress (MWC), the Game Developers Conference, and SXSW. Also on March 11, President Donald Trump announced that all travel and shipping to the United States from Europe will be suspended for 30 days.
The suspension comes after weeks of agonizing over the proper approach to the outbreak. In recent weeks, teams had been advised to conduct games without fans present.
For fans of the NBA, the news might come as a shock so late in the season, as the playoffs were scheduled to begin mid-April. The suspension is the latest event in what has been a difficult season for the NBA following the death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash in late January.
Since the coronavirus outbreak began in in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, it has become a major international crisis, with Italy shutting down all shops except grocery stores and pharmacies.
The NBA isn’t the only sports organization endangered by the outbreak. On Wednesday, March 10, the NCAA made the unprecedented decision to hold its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments without fans because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Many have questioned whether the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, will go on. As of March 11, the International Olympic Committee maintains that the games, which are set to begin July 24, will continue as scheduled. The Major League Baseball season, which is scheduled to kick off March 26, as well as the ongoing National Hockey League season, could also be affected,
The outbreak has already had a dire impact on the tech industry. Beyond the cancellation of major tech conferences like MWC, the coronavirus has bludgeoned the tech industry’s supply chains. Many of the factories that produce essential components for devices like the iPhone are located in China, where the virus first struck, and in response to the outbreak, many of the facilities involved have slowed or stopped production. As a result, major tech companies like Apple are facing roadblocks in production, and consumers may soon face product shortages.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Related Posts
Mercedes-AMG F1 City Edition E-Bike: High-Octane Performance on Two Wheels
Unleash the Power: Performance Meets Precision Under the hood…errr frame…the City Edition e-bike houses a 750W motor that powers you to speeds of up to 28 mph with pedal assist. Need an extra push? When necessary, the throttle assist engages allowing you to cruise effortlessly. They’ve even provided four riding modes::
Tax Season Deals: Get the most out of your refund this year
If you want one of the best tablets for business, you'll quickly realize that you might want a keyboard along with it. One of the greatest parts about the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, as well as one of its biggest drawbacks, is its keyboard. See, normally, the keyboard comes separately (it is fully detachable) and that can seriously jack up the price. However, if you get this bundled deal you can get both components in one helpful box and even save yourself $300.
Unleash fun and savings: discover local adventures with Groupon’s “Things to Do”
Why Groupon’s "Things to Do" is Worth Exploring Groupon deals go a step beyond saving on your everyday purchases and open the door to unforgettable experiences. Imagine escaping from a high-stakes mystery room, perfecting your crepe-making skills in a cooking class, or enjoying a discounted spa day. You’ll also find deals on fitness classes, local tours, and even activities like ax-throwing (highly recommend this) and glass-blowing workshops.