The Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder were set to clash tonight, but the game was canceled under odd circumstances. Before the tip-off, while teams were still warming up, the officials approached both coaches and sent the two squads back to the locker room.
PA guy in OKC said there will be a slight delay, waiting for league confirmation to start the game.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) March 12, 2020
Both teams are heading to their locker rooms. I think the game might’ve just been called.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 12, 2020
Thunder and Jazz both head to locker rooms as refs reportedly await confirmation from the league to start the game. https://t.co/aJk6CK5QzK
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 12, 2020
There were minutes of doubts, as the officials were waiting for confirmation from the league to start the game, but that never came. The Thunder public announcer first informed the game was delayed, before confirming the match was postponed.
After 30 minutes of delay, the PA announced:
“The game tonight has been postponed. You’re all safe. Please take your time and leave the arena in an orderly manner. You’re all safe.”
Thunder PA: The game tonight has been postponed. You're all safe. Please take your time and leave the arena in an orderly manner. You're all safe.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) March 12, 2020
Prior to the game, Jazz big man Rudy Gobert was ruled out due to illness. This generated a lot of speculation about Gobert and his health as the reason for the delay, but nothing has been confirmed on this matter yet.
Gobert recently broke the NBA protocol and started touching the mics in front of him during a press conference. This was a move that can create a lot of trouble for the NBA. Now, he’s reportedly being tested for the COVID-19.
A few days ago Rudy Gobert was making fun of Coronavirus, he is currently being taken to a hospital in OKC to be tested for the virus. https://t.co/W2nwJ6p9NM
— GoodGuysBets (@goodguysbet) March 12, 2020
In the end, the PA confirmed the game wasn’t taking place tonight, and the police arrived to close the Chesapeake Arena.
https://twitter.com/BDormanTV/status/1237898880223563777
**UPDATE**
Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert has tested positive for coronavirus, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Utah Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert has tested positive for coronavirus, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Sources say Gobert is feeling good, strong and stable — and was feeling strong enough to play tonight.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
