Jazz center Rudy Gobert joked about coronavirus, touched reporters’ recorders days before positive test

Gobert’s positive coronavirus test result was reported before Wednesday’s tip-off against the Thunder, and after the teams were pulled off the court, the game was postponed.

By USA TODAY

Steve Gardner

In this file photo taken on December 04, 2019, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert cools down after warm ups before a NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The coronavirus is no joking matter, and the NBA made that clear Wednesday night, suspending its season after a Utah Jazz player preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19.

A person familiar with the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that the player was Utah center Rudy Gobert. And on Monday, Gobert had appeared to joke about the coronavirus after an interview session with reporters.

He made a point to touch all of their tape recorders and microphones on his way to the team’s shootaround.

Two days later, Gobert was listed as “questionable” with an illness on the team’s injury report before its game at Oklahoma City. His coronavirus test result was reported before Wednesday’s tip-off against the Thunder, and after the teams were pulled off the court, the game was postponed.

So...here is Rudy touching all the mics following Mondays shoot around that has some people concerned... #TakeNote #utahjazz #CoronaVirus pic.twitter.com/dr4auECTr4
— Dave Fox (@Davefox2) March 12, 2020

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