Jeff Van Gundy was sick after all.
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The NBA analyst and Adrian Wojnarowski will miss Game 1 of the NBA Finals due to Covid, according to the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand. ESPN subsequently confirmed his report.
The status of Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Breen, who missed Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to Covid, is still uncertain. He will have to pass NBA and Disney protocols before being cleared to return.
If Breen is absent, Mark Jones is once again expected to fulfill his play-by-play duties. Mark Jackson is slated to be the lone color analyst on Thursday’s broadcast.
Van Gundy sounded noticeably hoarse on Sunday’s telecast, leading many to speculate he was sick as well. It’s unknown when Van Gundy tested positive for Covid. Presumably, he was tested as a close contact when Breen contracted the virus last weekend.
But ESPN hasn’t released that information.
Wojnarowski appears on “NBA Countdown,” but his main role for ESPN is breaking news. He could theoretically work remotely.
Van Gundy, of course, does not have that option. He continues to be one of the best sports analysts going, due to his penchant for honest and blunt commentary. The longtime head coach doesn’t sugarcoat his remarks.
He’ll be missed Thursday night. ESPN hopes Van Gundy can rejoin the broadcast for Game 2 Sunday, Marchand reports.