No additional NBA players tested positive for COVID-19 last week, the league said Wednesday.
The data comes after more than a score of games were postponed last month due to problems related to the coronavirus.
So an encouraging two-week trend continues: After 27 players tested positive in tests revealed between January 6 and 19, only one has been infected.
“These are small steps,” acknowledged Washington coach Scott Brooks after the league announced Wednesday that this week’s number was zero. “We want everyone to test negative this week. That is what we need. We all need him, not just the players, coaches and families in the NBA. “
The NBA has postponed 23 games this season due to the coronavirus, 22 since Jan.10. But from January 26 through Tuesday, the NBA has played 58 of the 60 games – and held every game on Wednesday’s schedule normally.
Teams still have to adhere to strict protocols to keep numbers low. Constant testing continues, and the league instructed teams this week that it will introduce tougher rules on wearing masks – even on the bench during games.
“You have to have hope and then sustain it with diligent action,” said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. “It is not that everyone in the association likes to receive those memos and the new guidelines that we must adhere to, but we want this profession and the industry to continue without further delays. So we have to modify our behavior. In some instances, it will require that we all have more awareness and that we all take responsibility. “
In the league, only five players remain on the list that is prevented from playing due to sanitation protocols that were put in place for problems related to the virus, such as positive tests and possible exposure. Minnesta doesn’t have Karl-Anthony Towns, Memphis doesn’t have Jonas Valanciunas and Grayson Allen, Phoenix doesn’t have Dario Saric and Philadelphia doesn’t have Terrance Ferguson.
A sixth player, Spaniard Juancho Hernangómez of Minnesota, has not returned to play while completing fitness protocols, but the Timberwolves no longer have him on the COVID-19 list.
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