Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has tested positive for the coronavirus antibodies.
During an appearance on CBS4 in Denver, the Denver Nuggets coach said he felt ill shortly after the season was suspended and that he tested positive for the coronavirus antibodies. He was not able to get tested at the time he began to develop symptoms.
During the television segment, Malone said, “I like to say that I got coronavirus and I kicked its butt. I was able to survive, thank goodness.” The Nuggets were in Dallas playing the Mavericks on national television when word of Rudy Gobert‘s positive test spread through the NBA community like jet fuel. Several other prominent players, such as Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell, and Christian Wood also tested positive.
Malone said he was able to get an antibody test around Memorial Day. “I only found out after the fact. I was able to get an antibody test, probably right around Memorial Day weekend. Not surprisingly, our team doctor called up and said, ‘Listen you’ve tested positive.'”
At least one other Nugget employee tested positive for the virus. “It’s really interesting how some people on our team and our staff and our travel party got it,” Malone added. Malone was quarantined upon the onset of the symptoms.
The Nuggets currently sit third in the west with a 43-22 record. The NBA is scheduled to resume play in a bubble league in Orlando beginning July 30th. Denver’s playoff hopes will be tested immediately, and it is hard to know exactly who they will be facing given the league’s unusual format for inviting teams to play.
Malone took over the Nuggets’ staff in 2015 and has guided his team to 216 wins under his stewardship. Last season the team lost in seven games to the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the playoffs, which was their first playoff appearance since the 2012-2013 season.