It appears that the Coronavirus has halted one of the few remaining outlets of basketball, or any professional sports, Australia’s National Basketball League.
Game four of the league’s championship series, the Grand Final was to be played Friday between the Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats. However the Kings brass stated they did not want to play the game in lieu of the global circumstances surrounding COVID-19.
NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman had this to say in a statement:
“We respect the decision in what are extraordinary times for everyone. We are understanding of not just the players’ health and well being but also their desire to be with their families, especially given so many of them have family overseas.
“Having consulted with the Australian Basketball Players’ Association we have decided the remaining games shall not be played. With Perth leading the best of five game series 2-1, we will now consider a decision on the outcome of the championship over the next 48 hours.
“We acknowledge both teams for what has been a fantastic series and season. Sydney was the only team to have gone through an entire NBL season on top of the ladder and Perth was leading the Grand Final series.
“This has been an incredible season for the NBL and one of the best in our 41-year history with record attendances and world class basketball. We thank all of our teams, officials, staff, partners and fans for their outstanding support and we look forward to returning even bigger and better in 2020-21.
“We wish everyone around Australia and around the world all the very best and to stay safe during these challenging times.”
