Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Durant told The Athletic on Tuesday that he is in good condition and urged “everyone to be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine,” adding, “we’re going to get through this.” The Nets announced on Tuesday that four players had tested positive for the virus and were in isolation. One of the players was experiencing symptoms, while the other three were asymptomatic, the team said. “The organization is currently notifying anyone who has had known contact with the players, including recent opponents, and is working closely with state and local health authorities on reporting,” the Nets said in a statement. “All players and members of the Nets travel party are being asked to remain isolated, closely monitor their health and maintain constant communication with team medical staff.”
Durant had been sitting out the 2019-2020 season after suffering a ruptured Achilles injury during last year’s NBA finals. The Nets played the Bulls in Brooklyn on March 8 and the Lakers in Los Angeles on March 10. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and teammate Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the virus last week, forcing the NBA to suspend its season and prompting several teams to test their players.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the players have been getting tested, despite a known shortage of coronavirus tests, due to the chance their infection could make the virus spread more rapidly. “Public health authorities and team doctors have been concerned that, given NBA players’ direct contact with each other and close interactions with the general public, in addition to their frequent travel, they could accelerate the spread of the virus,” Bass wrote in a Tuesday statement.
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