Sacramento Kings: Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker test positive for COVID-19
By Justin Fried
Sacramento Kings players Buddy Hield and Jabari Parker have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
Two Sacramento Kings players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 as the league prepares for its July restart.
As first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, both Jabari Parker and Buddy Hield have officially tested positive for coronavirus. The news about Parker came first just a couple of hours ago while Hield’s announcement came shortly after that.
This comes in the wake of a number of players all around the NBA testing positive for COVID-19. Basketball stars such as Malcolm Brogdon and Nikola Jokic have both tested positive in recent days sparking cause for concern around the league.
Starting this week, NBA teams were allowed to return to team facilities and organizations are preparing for what is expected to be an abundance of positive tests incoming.
The Kings are one of 22 teams that are set to take part in the NBA restart next month. Sacramento held a 28-36 record sitting 3.5 games behind the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference prior to the league’s suspension in March.
How does this impact the Sacramento Kings?
Now, Charania did say — at least in terms of Parker’s situation — that he still intends to join the Kings in Orlando, Florida when play does resume. It remains to be seen if Hield plans on doing the same.
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Players such as Avery Bradley and former Kings veteran Trevor Ariza have already decided to sit out even when the league does resume. Losing Hield would no doubt be a massive blow to a Kings team looking to break the NBA’s longest active postseason drought.
Sacramento had a bit of momentum on their side before the league was suspended having won 13 of their final 20 games. And Hield was a huge part of that success thriving in a bench role that he had previously expressed displeasure playing in.
Nonetheless, Kings fans and the NBA world will undoubtedly be wishing both Parker and Hield a speedy recovery as they deal with the effects of COVID-19.
Next. Sacramento Kings: Corey Brewer gives the team much-needed flexibility. dark
For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.