Pacers' Malcolm Brogdon, Kings' Jabari Parker reveal positive tests for virus
Both players plan to eventually join teammates for season restart
Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon and Sacramento Kings forward Jabari Parker both revealed Wednesday that they have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Both made announcements in the forms of statements released by their teams. And Brogdon and Parker both believe they will be with their teams when the NBA season resumes at the Disney complex near Orlando, Florida, next month.
"I recently tested positive for the COVID virus and am currently in quarantine," Brogdon said in his statement. "I'm doing well, feeling well and progressing well. I plan to join my teammates in Orlando for the resumption of the NBA season and playoffs."
"Several days ago I tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately self-isolated in Chicago which is where I remain," Parker said in his statement. "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."
All teams will arrive at Disney between July 7 and July 9 to start a brief quarantine and training camp. The NBA is in the process of finalizing the game schedule for the resumed season.
Brogdon wasn't healthy before the season was suspended on March 11, sitting out with a leg and hip muscle injury. But the stoppage gave him time to recover. He was averaging 16.3 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 48 games this season, his first with Indiana.
"Malcolm says he's 100 per cent, ready to go," president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in mid-April. "He is hungry."
Parker has appeared in one game with the Kings. He was traded to Sacramento in February by Atlanta, after averaging 15 points in 32 games with the Hawks this season.
Brogdon outspoken
Brogdon also has become a prominent voice speaking out against racial injustice. He and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics spoke at a protest in Atlanta earlier this month following the death of George Floyd.
Brogdon has said he hopes to lead a march in Indianapolis, though he did not speak at one held two weeks ago in Indy. His grandfather, John Hurst Adams, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s civil rights movement.
But with other NBA players voicing concerns about resuming the season amid the continuing protests, Brogdon had decided he would play.
"I think guys across the NBA have very, very mixed views, and it's very polarized. Some don't want to play, and I understand that," he said earlier this month.
The Indianapolis Star has reported backup guard Justin Holiday may not play and two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo told ESPN.com on Saturday he intended to ramp up his activities with the team this week before making a decision.
Oladipo returned to the court in late January following from a year-long recovery from a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee and was just rounding into form when play stopped. If Oladipo does play, the Pacers intend to be cautious with their star.
