7:11pm: Clifford held a Zoom call with reporters tonight, saying he has no COVID-19 symptoms and feels fine, tweets Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Clifford said he had a positive test Thursday night, followed by two negative tests Friday and another positive this morning. He underwent another test today and will be tested again Sunday morning.
Clifford added that one of the officials from Tuesday’s game in Atlanta tested positive for the virus, which put the Magic in an enhanced protocol (Twitter link). Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin would take over if Clifford isn’t cleared to coach Sunday (Twitter link).
“I don’t see a way that I coach tomorrow night. Monday, maybe,” Clifford said. “Then I guess if all these tests are negative it could be a chance by the time we go on the road.” (Twitter link)
5:40pm: Magic head coach Steve Clifford has returned a positive COVID-19 test, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. Sources tell Charania that Clifford has received his first vaccine and is considered asymptomatic, and there’s hope that the test result is a false positive.
The Magic canceled today’s practice, according to Roy Parry of The Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link), but a team official said they are hopeful they can play Sunday’s game against the Pacers.
Results of the test are considered inconclusive, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Clifford could be cleared to coach tomorrow night if he tests negative two times before the game begins.
Clifford, 59, is in his third season as head coach in Orlando.
First dose?
Why didn’t he take first vaccine in early March？
Article just said 59 not 60, and no mention of being a congressman.
I’d guess Damion Lee took one shot only
Nothing “magical” about that. Devastating…
1st positive thing about their season.
Hopefully Tyrone will play the right young guys
The mask on/mask off thing the coaches do on the sidelines is strange if you are concerned with protecting players and staff. Early on coaches were getting reprimanded for it but don’t hear too much of it now.
Seeing the coach’s mouth move must be motivating. At least the coaches think so. Coaches.