NBA's next steps hinge on US results in virus fight

America's level of success at overcoming coronavirus and how fast that happens are likely the key factors in deciding when and how the NBA and other sports leagues return.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver imposed an indefinite hiatus on the league season on Wednesday after Utah's Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus, with every other major North American sports organization following quickly.

"We intend to resume the season if and when it becomes safe for all concerned," Silver said, who predicted the shut down would last "at least 30 days."
"In the meantime, we will continue to coordinate with infectious disease and public health experts along with government officials to determine safe protocols for resuming our games."
"Even if we're out for a month, even if we're out for six weeks, we can still restart the season," Silver said. "It might mean that the finals take place in July or late July."
"Of course it's possible," Silver said. "I just don't know more at this point."
"What I do know... it's on the table that the owners want to finish the regular season and (playoffs)... I got confirmation that they have no problem going late into the summer to finish it up."
- NBA talent at Tokyo? -
========================
"If they start the season back up and then somebody else catches it, then what?" Green said. "You can't just quarantine a few guys for some days and then start it all back up. That... ain't going to work."
- How to resume? -
==================