Sports
Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkic Says Grandmother Hannah in Coma Due to COVID-19
Mike Ehrmann/Associated PressPortland Trail Blazers forward Jusuf Nurkic didn’t want to talk basketball immediately after playing his first regular-season game in more than a year Friday. He wanted to talk about the novel coronavirus—specifically, how dangerous it is. Jared Greenberg @JaredSGreenberg#Blazers Center Jusuf Nurkic just revealed his 67-year old grandmother is in a coma suffering from COVID-19.…
Mike Ehrmann/Associated Press
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jusuf Nurkic didn't want to talk basketball immediately after playing his first regular-season game in more than a year Friday.
He wanted to talk about the novel coronavirus—specifically, how dangerous it is.
Jared Greenberg @JaredSGreenberg
#Blazers Center Jusuf Nurkic just revealed his 67-year old grandmother is in a coma suffering from COVID-19. He considered leaving to bubble to be with her. Nurkic is pleading with people to take this virus seriously and wear a mask @NBAonTNT @NBATV
While imploring people to wear masks, Nurkic noted his 67-year-old grandmother has contracted the virus and is currently in a coma.
The effects of the pandemic have already been greatly felt around the NBA.
A number of players have tested positive for COVID-19, and the mother of Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns died in April after contracting the virus. The NBA itself has taken to playing in a bubble specifically to shield itself from the coronavirus, isolating players who leave its Disney World campus for any reason.
For those outside the bubble, Nurkic wants to make sure appropriate precautions are being taken.
Wearing masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing remain among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's top protocols for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
The NBA announced Wednesday it would provide free testing to marginalized communities within the league's 30 team markets.
Nurkic, meanwhile, said he debated leaving the bubble to go be with his family but was concerned over safety.
The 25-year-old returned to the court Friday after breaking his leg in a devastating injury last March. He recorded 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a 140-135 overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Subscribe to Centenunlimited news
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe
