Update to original story:
It’s now being reported by the LA Times’ Brad Turner that a “majority” of Lakers players were tested for COVID-19/coronavirus on Wednesday morning.
Sources: A majority of the Lakers players were tested at 9 a.m. for the coronavirus at the practice facility. The doctor on site did testing with like this Q-tip through the nose, has to touch throat and twist it. Took about 10 seconds. Lakers hope to get results by Friday.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) March 18, 2020
It should also be noted in the tweet that the team is hoping to get results by Friday. It’s interesting that Turner notes that a “majority” were tested, as you would hopefully expect the entire team to be tested following team-wide testings of the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets among others. The need to test all players becomes even more necessary when you consider the fact that the Lakers played the Brooklyn Nets last Tuesday, the 10th. Yesterday it was announced via Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN that four Nets players tested positive, including Kevin Durant.
Four Nets have tested positive for the coronavirus, team says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 17, 2020
The Lakers will now wait until either tomorrow or Friday to receive their test results back. It would not be a surprise to see some of the Lakers test positive for the virus. We’ll see if any positive cases are publicly revealed as Kevin Durant’s positive test was only revealed because he came forward and revealed it himself.
Original story:
The Los Angeles Lakers basketball season came to a suspension after a 104-102 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The recent Coronavirus spread caused the NBA to consider an extended hiatus until things can get contained. The Nets announced today that four of team’s players tested positive for the virus, including all-star Kevin Durant per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Kevin Durant tested positive for coronavirus, Durant tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Durant says he is feeling fine: "Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We're going to get through this."
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 17, 2020
As an extra precaution, the Lakers are going to test on players on Wednesday as Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Sources: Lakers just had conference call with players and will be tested tomorrow for Coronavirus and will have 14 day self-quarantine.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) March 17, 2020
The Lakers last played the Nets on March 10th. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on the team’s decision to connect with other franchises upon receiving the news.
Organization says it's notifying anyone who has had known contact with the players, including recent opponents. All Nets players and traveling party have been told to remain isolated. https://t.co/YG3WTQU1cS
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 17, 2020
With the season hanging in its balance, the league will continue to monitor each franchise. They’re also working to communicate with executives and the player’s association. Charania also reported that the league is working with health officials to continue their education on the coronavirus:
