Nuggets star Nikola Jokic reportedly tested positive for coronavirus in Serbia. Nuggets coach Michael Malone contracted coronavirus in March. Another member of the organization was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 19.
There are also new, pressing issues in Denver.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:The Denver Nuggets closed the team’s practice facility starting on Saturday after a round of positive tests for the coronavirus, sources tell ESPN.
The Nuggets had two members of the team’s 35-person Orlando traveling party -- which encompasses players, coaches and staff -- initially test positive prior to the weekend shutdown, sources said. There was at least one more positive test since Saturday, sources said.
The Nets practice facility re-opened today after being closed for several days, sources said. Nets had recent positive coronavirus tests with DeAndre Jordan and Spencer Dinwiddie.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2020
Mike Singer of The Denver Post:
Mandatory individual workouts were to begin tomorrow. Earliest the team may re-open its gym is Friday, per source. Obviously contingent on another round of testing. https://t.co/zDTnPCToOm
— Mike Singer (@msinger) June 30, 2020
As the Nets’ situation with Spencer Dinwiddie and DeAndre Jordan showed, a couple positive tests don’t necessarily mean a team-wide breakout. Coronavirus is a threat throughout the world, and players can contract it anywhere.
The NBA has implemented restrictions – testing, distancing, cleaning – designed to minimize the risk of spread within a team facility. But the danger can’t be completely eliminated.
With multiple cases, the Nuggets must investigate whether conditions in their facility were unsafe before continuing to bring people into it.