Malcolm Brogdon Plans to Join Pacers in Restart Despite Positive COVID-19 Test

The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday guard Malcolm Brogdon has tested positive for the coronavirus.

"I recently tested positive for the COVID virus and am currently in quarantine," he said. "I'm doing well, feeling well and progressing well. I plan to join my teammates in Orlando for the resumption of the NBA season and playoffs." 

The NBA announced earlier this month its Board of Governors approved a plan to restart the 2019-20 season with 22 teams at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. 

As part of the preparations, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that coronavirus testing had begun and that "teams are bracing for significant numbers of positive tests." He added that one team in the Western Conference registered four positive tests in recent weeks.

The father of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic confirmed the two-time All-Star had tested positive and was "fine" and not showing any symptoms.

The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin reported two Phoenix Suns players tested positive as well.

The threat posed by the pandemic looms large ahead of the NBA's restart.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley confirmed to Wojnarowski on Tuesday he isn't making the trip to Orlando: "As committed to my Lakers teammates and the organization as I am, I ultimately play basketball for my family. And so, at a time like this, I can't imagine making any decision that might put my family's health and well-being at even the slightest risk."

Brogdon is averaging 16.3 points an 7.1 assists in his first season with the Pacers.

Assuming he makes a full recovery from COVID-19, having the 27-year-old available could be important for Indiana with Victor Oladipo still on the fence about whether he's going to play in his first year back from a ruptured quad tendon.