Sacramento Kings forward Jabari Parker and center Alex Len said in a statement Wednesday that he tested positive for the coronavirus "several days ago" and "has immediately self-isolated in Chicago."
"I am progressing in my recovery and feeling well," Parker said in a statement released by the Kings. "I look forward to joining my teammates in Orlando as we return to the court for the resumption of the NBA season."
NBA teams started testing their players for COVID-19 on Tuesday, which could give players time to self-quarantine before they travel to Orlando to resume the campaign on July 30. Teams will leave for Orlando on a staggered basis between July 7 and 9 after hosting individual workouts that are both voluntary (this week) and mandatory (next week). Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has also tested positive for COVID-19.
In a story post on Instagram, Len said he was tested Tuesday in Sacramento, California.
"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," Len's statement said. "I have immediately entered isolation and look forward to being cleared and rejoining my teammates for our playoff push."
Len, 27, was also part of that trade involving the Hawks and Kings, and has averaged 6.6 points in nine games with Sacramento.
The Kings signed free-agent forward Corey Brewer earlier this week, which would serve as a reinforcement for Parker’s possible absence. Brewer has averaged of 8.6 points per match on 42.5% shooting during his career in stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and the Kings. Parker has averaged 15 points on 49.2% shooting in Milwaukee, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta and Sacramento.
The Kings (28-36) will compete with the Dallas Mavericks (40-27), Memphis Grizzlies (32-33), Portland Trail Blazers (29-37), New Orleans Pelicans (28-36), San Antonio Spurs (27-36) and Phoenix Suns (26-39) for the seventh and eighth playoff spots in the Western Conference. The NBA will have eight regular season games before jumping into the traditional best-of seven postseason format.
