Eric Bledsoe Tests Positive For COVID-19 Away From Orlando Campus

Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe tested positive for COVID-19, according to Malika Andrews of ESPN.

“I am asymptomatic and feeling fine,” Bledsoe said. He has not been in Orlando at all since the Bucks arrived to the NBA’s restart campus at Walt Disney World last week. Bledsoe expects to rejoin his teammates once he has cleared all protocols.

An extended absence for Bledsoe, the Bucks’ defensive-minded starting point guard, would be a major blow to the team with the best record in the NBA. The 30-year-old made the 2018/19 All-Defensive First Team with Milwaukee, and was enjoying a similarly productive season for the 53-12 Bucks, who lead the league in defensive rating at 101.9 PPG allowed per 100 possessions.

In his 56 games played (of a possible 65) this season, Bledsoe is averaging 15.4 PPG on 48.2% shooting from the field, including 34.8% from three-point land (on 3.6 attempts a night) and 81.3% from the free throw line. He also boasts 2019/20 averages of 5.4 APG and 4.6 RPG.

Bledsoe hails from a starry 2010 Kentucky team that also featured future NBA All-Stars DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall, plus league journeyman Patrick Patterson and short-term NBA pro Daniel Orton. Bledsoe has been with the Bucks since a midseason trade from Phoenix during the 2017/18 season.

The 6’1″ guard is in the first season of a four-year, $70MM extension he signed with the Bucks in 2019. Though Bledsoe has underwhelmed for Milwaukee in past playoff appearances, his athleticism has made him an essential contributor on both sides of the ball. Backup point guard George Hill, in the midst of a terrific shooting season, should get more shine if Bledsoe misses extended time as he recovers.

The 34-year-old Hill has been an imperative role player for Milwaukee in his 12th NBA season. The 6’3″ IUPUI alum is shooting 53% from the field, 48% from deep (on 2.9 attempts per game in just 21.2 minutes), and 83.1% from the free throw line.