A number of NBA practice facilities have been shut down due to concerns of the coronavirus. The Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings are the latest to shut down their practice venues after tests revealed members of their traveling parties contracted the virus.

In Milwaukee, it is not clear if it was a player or staff member or members that tested positive for COVID-19, which has seen a resurgence in certain areas of the country. In Sacramento, the positive test result was from a staff member that will be traveling to Orlando for the NBA restart. 

The Bucks and the Kings join Brooklyn, Denver, Miami, and the Los Angeles Clippers in shutting down team practice facilities. It was reported that each team had either players or staff that tested positive for the virus. To prevent it from spreading ahead of teams heading to Orlando, each team decided to shut down its practice facilities.

Teams begin reporting to Orlando this week in preparation for the resumption of the 2019-20 season on July 30. Sacramento will head to Orlando on Wednesday while Milwaukee is scheduled to leave on Thursday for the Walt Disney World Resort where teams will be housed and play the remainder of the season.

The league is hopeful the remainder of the season can be played out. The NBA put out a 113-page document for all traveling parties to follow while in Orlando. Any player that tests positive for the virus must quarantine immediately, test negative twice, and then be cleared by medical personnel.

Milwaukee has the league’s best record (53-12) heading into the restart. The Bucks are among the favorites to capture this year’s NBA title. The Los Angeles Lakers and their city rival the Clippers are also among the favorites to win this year’s championship.

Rick Bouch