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Wizards players dealing with lingering COVID-19 issues?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Feb 18, 2021 6:23 PM ET

The Washington Wizards dealt with a concerning COVID-19 outbreak last month that included a handful of players testing positive for the virus and resulted in the NBA postponing six of Washington's games.

While the Wizards have won three consecutive contests, they are 9-17 overall and near the basement of the Eastern Conference standings. On Thursday, head coach Scott Brooks suggested his players are dealing with lingering issues caused by their bouts with the coronavirus:

Scott Brooks says several Wizards players are still working their way into shape after battling the coronavirus last month: "You can see it. Some guys get winded quick... this is something none of us have ever dealt with and some guys are still dealing with it."
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) February 18, 2021

Many people experience either mild or no symptoms upon testing positive for COVID-19, but a plethora of previously-healthy athletes have struggled long after they've supposedly recovered. Buffalo Bills tight end Tommy Sweeney was ruled out for the remainder of the NFL season on Nov. 23 after it was learned he had myocarditis, a heart condition linked with coronavirus infections.

Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate before he missed two November games because of COVID-19. Per Liz Roscher of Yahoo Sports, Garrett was facing coronavirus-related problems a month after he tested positive and required breathing treatments four times a day.

Earlier this week, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum admitted he's still encountering setbacks linked to his coronavirus illness from a month ago.

"I think it messes with your breathing a little bit," Tatum said. "I have experienced some games where, I don't want to say [I was] struggling to breathe, but, you know, you get fatigued a lot quicker than normal."

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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