Communities across the globe are continuing to put safety measures in place to coral the spread of COVID-19, commonly referred to as the novel coronavirus. The viral outbreak has been rapidly progressing across the U.S. and state governments have responded by implementing protocols and bringing forth legislature to address the pandemic. 

While many music events, annual conventions and other mass gatherings have been canceled or postponed as precautionary measures, there was much speculation as to how the NBA would respond to the outbreak. Initially, the league was planning to continue carrying on with games as scheduled sans fan attendance, although the coronavirus has spread to more than 40 states, per an ABC News tracker. 

But the league was rocked after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert was diagnosed with an “illness.” CBS Sports confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19. On Wednesday (Mar. 11), the NBA issued an official statement that the league is suspending games for the remainder of the season “until further notice” after another Utah Jazz player, Donovan Mitchell, tested positive for the virus as well, according to CBS Sports. So far, Gobert and Mitchell are the only two active basketball players to have contracted the virus.