Report: NBA to hold conference calls about coronavirus with teams

As more coronavirus cases are being reported worldwide, the NBA is hosting a conference call with team doctors and trainers Monday night and owners Wednesday night, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The New York Times’ Marc Stein also reported Tuesday night that the NBA has scheduled a conference call for Thursday with the league’s 30 general managers.

The league wants to ensure teams have plans to stay healthy. A memo from the NBA already recommended bringing smaller contingents of “essential staff” on road trips, encouraged fist bumps instead of high-fives and warned against taking items from fans to autograph.

The NBA also told the teams last week that there may be games without fans in attendance, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

“I don’t really have a comment about the fans not coming to the games,” Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams said Sunday afternoon.

“I think the NBA and every team is going to do what they can to keep everybody healthy, and it’s up to all of us individually to do what we can to try to figure it out until we come up with a vaccine for it.”

That news broke during the Suns game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Guard Devin Booker said he saw it prior to the postgame press conference, but the team hadn’t discussed it.

“I’m actually just seeing that for the first time after the game,” he said Friday. “That’s above my pay grade. Whatever happens, happens, but health is the most important thing on this road, so hopefully everyone can stay away and stay safe.”

Some changes have come into effect already, including the Suns hosting postgame interviews in a separate area instead of the locker room.

The Suns are headed to Portland to play the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

Oregon declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon as the number of COVID-19 cases doubled to 14, according to Reuters.

Williams said the team was focused on its upcoming game Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks when asked if the Suns had preventative plans for the road trip, but said he’s sure the teams will have precautions in place and that there already have been some at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases spread through respiratory droplets, including the flu, health officials have issued the following recommendations:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Don’t make close contact with sick individuals.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue away.
• Clean and disinfect objects that are frequently touched.

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