Pacers' Malcolm Brogdon tests positive for coronavirus
While NBA players continue to weigh the pros and cons of resuming the season at Walt Disney World for various reasons, including racial injustice and the coronavirus pandemic, at least a few players will be recovering and quarantining ahead of the Orlando restart.
Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon is the latest to reportedly test positive for coronavirus, according to J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star Tribune.
Brogdon is the latest of many known cases amid preparations for the season restart. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic also tested positive recently and will remain in his home country of Serbia until he tests negative for the virus.
Four players on a Western Conference playoff team also tested positive as did two players on the Phoenix Suns.
The Pacers currently are fifth in the Eastern Conference, holding a tie breaker over the Philadelphia 76ers who are in sixth place. Indiana could inch closer to the fourth spot during eight remaining regular season games, though it'll be pretty difficult if they're forced to do so without Brogdon.
Brogdon is in the midst of his best season throughout his four-year NBA career. The 27-year-old is averaging 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from three-point range. Brogdon currently leads the Pacers in assists per game, free throw percentage and ranks third on the team in PPG behind T.J. Warren and Domantas Sabonis.
The NBA is expecting more positive cases to be brought to light in the coming days, but knew the risks when initiating a restart.
Quarantine protocols are in place, as are other health and safety regulations, for the league's return at Disney World. It'll be difficult to keep players coronavirus-free, but that's why rosters have been expanded in the event of players being infected with the virus.
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