17th March, 2020
NBA superstar Kevin Durant and three of his yet-to-be identified Brooklyn Nets teammates have tested positive for coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the team and the 31-year-old power forward announced on Tuesday.
The announcement further justified the suspension of the NBA 2019-2020 season when Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert became the first player to test positive for the virus.
Donovan Mitchell, Gobert’s teammate, was also diagnosed with the illness, along with Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons.
“Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine,” Durant, 31, told reporter Shams Charania of The Athletic after the news broke. “We’re going to get through this.”
The Nets have not identified the three other players who tested positive. Along with Durant, the team is home to several star players, such as Spencer Dinwiddie and former NBA champion Kyrie Irving.
In their statement, the team said of the players who were diagnosed, three were asymptomatic while the fourth is currently exhibiting symptoms.
“All four players are presently isolated and under the care of team physicians,” the team said in a statement.
“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.”