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Spencer Dinwiddie will not play in the Orlando “bubble,” following a second positive test for the coronavirus, he and the Nets have decided. News of the loss broke Tuesday morning.
Malika Andrews who covers the Nets —and the Orlando “bubble”— for ESPN was first with the news...
Spencer Dinwiddie will not join the Nets in Orlando, sources confirm to ESPN.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 7, 2020
Shams Charania followed up...
The Nets’ team doctors decided to have guard Spencer Dinwiddie sit the NBA restart out of an abundance of caution, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 7, 2020
Then, Dinwiddie who had wanted to play, tweeted his own message to fans, explaining he had once again tested positive for the virus.
After another positive test yesterday and considering the symptoms, @BrooklynNets, team doctors and I have decided that it would be in the best interest for me and the team that I do not play in Orlando. I will be supporting the guys every step of the way! #AudienceOfOne
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 7, 2020
Dinwiddie has experienced symptoms over the last 10 days which had left him bedridden. He had hoped a new round of tests would find him negative for the virus.
Late Sunday, Dinwiddie tweeted out one of his regular health updates, reporting that not only were his symptoms subsiding but that he had gotten back on his exercise bike. He had hoped to work out at HSS Training Center Tuesday ... and fly to Orlando later in the day.
Dinwiddie later tweeted his gratitude to the Nets organization for shutting him down...
Sean, Joe and Organization as a whole are a class act. Sometimes you have to protect players from themselves https://t.co/Gvh2xVbb69
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 7, 2020
Dinwiddie finished his season averaging 20.6 points and 6.8 assists with a shooting split of 42/31/78.
Later, Dinwiddie essentially said he’s getting better...
We’re in the #Endgame now
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 7, 2020
The Nets are now back down to 12 healthy players. With Wilson Chandler opting out and Dinwiddie not yet healthy, the Nets will be able to sign two substitute players.
Meanwhile, Marc Stein of the Times reports that the Nets have veteran big man, Amir Johnson, on their radar.
Veteran center Amir Johnson has emerged as a prime target for the Nets, league sources say, in their search for roster reinforcements
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 7, 2020
Brooklyn has been on the hunt for a big man since losing DeAndre Jordan and Nicolas Claxton
Johnson hasn’t played this season. The 33-year-old last played for 76ers in 2018-19, averaging 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10 minutes per game. Johnson does have extensive playoff experience, playing in 54 post-season games with four different teams. He is eligible to be signed as a substitute.
This story will be updated.
- Nets won’t have Spencer Dinwiddie after positive coronavirus tests - ESPN
- Spencer Dinwiddie out of NBA restart after another positive coronavirus test - Howie Kussoy - New York Post
- Bradley Beal injury gives Nets stronger chance to make playoffs - Howie Kussoy - New York Post
- Dinwiddie tests positive again, will not play in Orlando - Greg Logan - Newsday
- Nets’ Spencer Dinwiddie opts out of NBA restart in Florida after second positive coronavirus test - Kristian Winfield - New York Daily News
- Wizards’ Beal, Nets’ Dinwiddie to miss rest of NBA season - Stephen Whyno - AP