
The Kings could play in an empty arena in Cleveland against the Cavaliers on March 24.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recommended Tuesday that sporting events taking place indoors occur with no spectators "other than the athletes, parents and others essential to the game" in order to limit the coronavirus' spread. The Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse issued a statement Tuesday, however, saying that a minor league hockey game will "be played with regular fan access" Sunday despite the Governor's recommendation.
"Appropriate precautionary and preventative measures recommended by the CDC and other health experts at this point are being followed," the statement said. "The Cleveland Monsters game this Sunday afternoon is slated to be played with regular fan access. We will continue to evaluate, make decisions and provide appropriate updates concerning any potential changes to the on-going event and game schedule as needed."
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The Cavaliers said they "will continue to monitor this unique situation in real time." The MAC men's basketball tournament will be held at the venue, but the conference announced Tuesday that the event "will be closed to the general public" after "consultation with Ohio governmental and public officials."
The NBA scheduled a call for Wednesday to discuss next steps regarding the spread of the coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, ESPN's Zach Lowe and Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday. Team owners and executives had "escalating concerns" that games would eventually be played in front of only essential personnel, the report said, but the NBA had only told teams to prepare for the possibility before Sunday's call. The NBA, along with MLB, MLS and the NHL, banned media from locker-room access Monday.
No professional sports leagues in the United States have enacted spectator bans yet, though some governments have. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee reportedly will announce Wednesday that the state is banning events and social gatherings of more than 250 people, while Santa Clara County barred "mass gatherings" of over 1,000 people Tuesday.
There are over 900 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the U.S., according to NBC News reporting. Twenty-nine people have died nationwide.