Milwaukee Bucks shut down training facility after COVID-19 tests

The Milwaukee Bucks became the latest NBA team to shut down their facility due to COVID-19.

As much as the NBA would like to return to action with setbacks, those aren’t the times we live in. The Milwaukee Bucks became the fifth NBA team — joining the likes of the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets — to close their facility in the lead-up to the season restart due to COVID-19 outbreaks. All of those teams besides the Brooklyn Nets have a serious opportunity to exit the bubble with an NBA Title.

The Bucks aren’t expected to practice again until they leave for Orlando.

Five NBA teams have now shut down their facilities thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Such a decision is typically done out of precaution. It’s unknown at this time how many members of the Bucks organization tested positive for COVID-19, but in taking such a dramatic step, Milwaukee is ensuring their championship run isn’t derailed before it even begins.

The Bucks had the NBA’s best record, sitting at 53-12 and first place in the Eastern Conference, when the league shut down shortly after Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. While the circumstances aren’t ideal, there’s arguably no team under greater pressure to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy than the Bucks, especially as Giannis Antetokounmpo nears free agency.

Milwaukee is easily the favorite in the East, but do have some competition in the likes of the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics. The unpredictability of the restart before games even begin doesn’t lend itself well to the idea that this will go on without a hitch.

While no names were revealed, any player who tests positive for COVID-19 must test negative twice before making the journey to Orlando, and sit out 2-3 weeks of action. The Bucks are already unfortunately behind the eight ball.