The New Orleans Pelicans’ game against the Sacramento Kings was postponed amid concerns that a referee may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
The NBA announced that the 2019-20 season would be suspended in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 after Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. This eventually included the New Orleans Pelicans’ game against the Kings.
The New Orleans Pelicans were still scheduled to play the final NBA game before the suspension, but the game was postponed due to the fact that referee Courtney Kirkland had worked the Jazz game on Monday night.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the New Orleans Pelicans were proactive when it came to cancelling last night’s game after learning about Kirkland’s potential exposure to COVID-19.
The Pelicans, I’m told, are pushing hard for this game to not be played. Team officials are on standby. The Kings are already on the court. Tip-off in 5:30 and...no Pelicans. https://t.co/xPhGYGp6qu
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 12, 2020
The New Orleans Pelicans (aside from Lonzo Ball) never emerged from the locker room and eventually the NBA announced that all games were suspended, including Pelicans vs. Kings, according to ESPN.
This matchup was supposed to be an important one in the chase for the eighth seed, but obviously concerns over a global pandemic outweigh any basketball game.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, several teams were told to self-quarantine. The New Orleans Pelicans are not yet listed among them but it was smart of the team and league to be proactive.
Kirkland is due to be tested for the coronavirus this morning but news has not yet been released about the results.
With more than a dozen referees who have worked Jazz games in the last ten days, players who may have potentially been exposed are scrambling to get tested for the virus.
Coach Alvin Gentry was already in precautionary mode prior to the announcement, saying,
"“I think it’s also important to understand that this is not a minor thing by any stretch of the imagination, not just in this country but in the world…You have to do whatever you have to contain it and manage it as best you can.”"
It is clear that the NBA is taking this seriously, which is the right move, even if some fans may be disappointed by suspended play.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization website.