Sacramento Kings players Alex Len and Jabari Parker confirmed Wednesday that each had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Parker, in a team statement, said:
“Several days ago I tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately self-isolated in Chicago which is where I remain. I am progressing in my recovery and feeling well. I look forward to joining my teammates in Orlando as we return to the court for the resumption of the NBA season.”
Len posted an Instagram Story that read:
“I underwent testing yesterday in Sacramento and was found to be positive for COVID-19. I want to thank the Sacramento Kings for their great care and the NBA for putting the protocols in place to allow me to catch this early. I have immediately entered isolation and look forward to being cleared and rejoining my teammates for our playoff push.”
The Kings, with a 28-36 record at the time the league went on hiatus, sit 11th in the Western Conference. They trail eighth-place Memphis by 3.5 games with eight scheduled to play in the season restart. Portland (29-37) and New Orleans (28-36) will be joined by the Spurs (27-36) and Suns (26-39) in competing for the conference’s final playoff slot.
If the eighth seed is fewer than 4.0 games ahead of the ninth seed, the teams will face off in a play-in tournament.
