NBA responds to New York City mayor's COVID-19 testing criticism

National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver responded on Wednesday to criticism from New York City mayor Bill de Blasio that NBA players should not receive priority for COVID-19 coronavirus testing over more needy patients. De Blasio tweeted his criticism after reports that the Brooklyn Nets team had all been tested, saying critically ill patients should have been given priority over millionaire athletes for the coveted tests.

Silver said it was not the NBA but local health officials last week in Oklahoma City that required Thunder players to get tested immediately after their their March 11th game against Utah was cancelled following reports that Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who was not with the team, had tested positive for the virus.

The Thunder all tested negative but the NBA then decided to postpone all games as a precaution.

Silver said eight full NBA teams have been tested for the coronavirus, which is more than was previously known, as well as members of other teams who were showing symptoms.