Kings swingman Buddy Hield has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19, according to Sean Cunningham of ABC10 Sacramento (Twitter link). According to Cunningham, Hield has been in Dallas for most of the NBA’s hiatus, but had notched 45 points during a Skinz League Game in Oklahoma two weeks ago.
Hield tells Leo Beas of Cowbell Kingdom (Twitter link) that he feels fine and will be ready to join the team in Orlando once he’s medically cleared.
Hield was replaced by Bogdan Bogdanovic in the team’s starting lineup by first-year Kings head coach Luke Walton in January, and has come off the bench for the team’s past 20 games. Hield converted 46.3% of his long range attempts in February following the move, per Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee.
The 6’4″ Hield, an Oklahoma alum, is averaging 19.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 3.1 APG for the 28-36 Kings this season. This year overall, Hield is connecting on 42.9% of his field goals (including 39.5% on a career-high 9.7 three-point attempts per game) and 85.5% of his attempts from the charity stripe.
Meanwhile in Chicago, Hield’s Kings teammate Jabari Parker announced today that he too has tested positive for the coronavirus. Sacramento made the cut to join the 22 squads invited to the NBA’s season restart in Orlando.
Haven’t heard novel in a while
Funny how people are saying that the NBA should cancel the season, yet these dudes are catching the virus at home. I am pretty sure a bubble environment will be much safer.
Travel between cities is more dangerous than the virus for healthy athletes without any serious underlying conditions. And even the travel will be eliminated.
The players will be fine.
It seems that athletes that have pandemic hygiene deficiency are endangering the status of pro leagues everywhere. The Covidiots are “winning” in many states (including FLA where Bubbletown is located) and that will lead to worse consequences then if we had all done what was right from the start. There are positive examples all around the world.
Why are these players catching virus. It’s a pandemic. You got a season on the line. They can all have stuff delivered. They don’t even need to step out. Work out at home. Like children . The more cases. I doubt they have a season. When you have people making a virus political. It ain’t going away anytime soon. Virus don’t care who you vote for or who you support. Protocol is for the safety of all. Can’t believe how dumb and selfish people can be. Be safe follow protocol.