Jazz/Thunder Game Postponed Seconds Before Tip-Off

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA postponed the game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder after players were on the court and ready to start the game seconds before tip-off.

The Jazz and Thunder were scheduled to start their game on Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. (MDT).

Prior to the NBA’s postponement of the contest, players, coaches, and other personnel from the Jazz and Thunder were told to head back into the locker rooms only seconds before the scheduled start time.

Jazz vs. Thunder game postponed announcement: pic.twitter.com/c0k9jHmDXh

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 12, 2020

Seconds before starting the game, officials brought Jazz head coach Quin Snyder and Thunder head coach Billy Donovan together at mid-court for a discussion. After the conversation, both teams exited the court. A minute later, the officiating crew also left the hardwood.

Strange scene in OKC. Players, coaches, and other personnel from both the @utahjazz, and @okcthunder left the court and went to the locker rooms seconds before the game was scheduled to tip-off. #TakeNote #UTAatOKC pic.twitter.com/L0twMnzu7X

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 12, 2020

The conversation between coaches and officials was started after OKC’s head medical staffer Donnie Strack “grabbed the officials and told them something”, according to ESPN’s Royce Young.

Something is going on here. Thunder head medical staffer Donnie Strack just grabbed the three officials and told them something. All players were just told to go back to their bench. We’re seconds from tipoff.

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 12, 2020

Oklahoma City’s television broadcast reported that the start of the game was delayed due to Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s illness and the officials were waiting for NBA confirmation to begin play.

Oklahoma City Thunder broadcast team is reporting that due to Rudy Gobert's sickness before the game, the league is waiting to see if they should start the game. #TakeNote #UTAatOKC

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 12, 2020

Minutes before the game was scheduled to begin, the Jazz ruled Gobert out of the starting lineup due to an undisclosed illness.

Rudy & Emmanuel have both been ruled out (illness) for tonight's game.

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 11, 2020

Backup big man Tony Bradley was slated to start the game in place of Gobert.

Coronavirus Concerns In The NBA

The Golden State Warriors will be the first NBA team to play a game in their home arena without fans due to rising concerns about Coronavirus. The Warriors issued a press release saying their game on March 12 will be played at Chase Center against the Brooklyn Nets in front of an empty arena.

The Warriors have canceled or postponed all other events at the Chase Center through March 21, guests who purchased tickets will either be refunded or given tickets to the rescheduled events.

NBA owners took part in a conference call on March 11 to determine further action regarding coronavirus.

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The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a facemask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.