Thunder's Dennis Schroder will leave NBA bubble for birth of child

NBA, NHL, Major League Soccer and National Women's Soccer League players faced difficult decisions ahead of journeying to bubble sites for return-to-play formats amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic. Some left pregnant spouses behind for possibly over a month.

One NBA player told reporters on Tuesday he intends to leave the hub at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex when his wife gives birth.

As noted by Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman , Oklahoma City Thunder Dennis Schroder explained that he will return home in "three to four weeks" for the birth of the couple's second child.

Excused absences, such as childbirth, are permitted as long as the player quarantines for four days upon his return to Orlando and tests negative for the coronavirus for each day he stays off the campus. It's not known how long Schroder will be away from his teammates.

Mussatto added that Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward and Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley are among players expected to leave the NBA bubble for births.

Also on Tuesday, Washington Capitals forward Lars Eller said he's temporarily leaving the NHL Eastern Conference bubble site in Toronto for the birth of his child.