(Toronto) COVID-19 outbreaks, postponed games and the fan limit in the stands punctuated the Toronto Raptors in the news this week.
It appeared to be Groundhog Day. We relived a similarity of the events of March 11, 2020, when the NBA stopped its activities after Rudy Gobert, of the Utah Jazz, tested positive for COVID-19. Other sports leagues and events were quick to follow suit. The NBA did not resume action until July, four months later, in the protected environment at Walt Disney World, Florida.
With the multiplication of positive cases all over the NBA, the rumor of a second break is gaining ground.
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse did not share this pessimism, and does not believe the league will dwell on this option.
“I don’t think she [la NBA] I’m going to take a break, I guess, for as long as she’s able to juggle the schedule, Nurse said after practice Friday morning. If you have eight players who are ready (the minimum required), you are going to play. I believe that is their point of view. ”
The Raptors prepare to host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. This will be the first sporting event in Ontario to subscribe to the new measure which requires less than 50% of the maximum capacity in the stands. The government also announced that restaurants will not be open, in an effort to respect mask wearing at all times.
The NBA had more than 50 players on the sidelines due to COVID-19 protocol on Friday night, and that number is growing exponentially.
The NBA has tightened its sanitary measures and matches the degree of rigidity last season. The Raptors were nevertheless a few strokes ahead due to the infection of team president Masai Ujiri. Winger Precious Achiuwa had been placed on the COVID-19 related list due to contact with someone positive for the virus, but will be available on Saturday.
The team started testing their players at a breakneck pace.
The Raptors have received some good news, however. OG Anunoby, who missed 13 games with a hip injury, Montrealer Khem Birch (knee swelling) and Dalano Banton (illness) all hit the pitch in training on Friday.
Anunoby and Birch’s presence is still pending for Saturday’s game.