With NBA players set to begin entering the Orlando bubble in a week, questions remain about how the league will handle positive coronavirus tests.

COVID-19 is experiencing a secondary spike in various locations across the United States and several teams have been forced to close their practice facilities due to positive tests, most recently the Denver Nuggets. Obviously, this could become a huge problem if not addressed and handled correctly, given that a not-insignificant number of NBA players have now tested positive for the virus.

Continued positive tests could also lead to a completely different playoff picture, as some players sit out either to quarantine or to avoid catching the virus. Paul Pierce spoke on this topic on a recent episode of The Jump

“This is very concerning. You gotta expect that there’s going to be more cases. I mean, we’re hearing more and more each and every day, each and every week,” Paul said. “There’s gonna be a major asterisk on this year’s championship. If key players have to sit out to the virus, you know it’s going to affect certain games with regard to seeding, if it’s gonna affect certain games in the playoffs… This is a big concern for me.”

The Truth also spoke on Denver not being able to use their practice facility and the potential loss of important players.

“For the Denver Nuggets, not being able to use the practice facility, to get practice time in, to develop that chemistry back again, you’ve got key players sitting out. You talk about a team that was number 3 in the Western Conference that probably had championship aspirations… It’s a huge concern.”

Pierce shared his fear of a completely different conclusion to the season compared to if the season had concluded on time as well as the likely scenario in which the coronavirus has maintained its prominence well into the restart of the season. Watch below as Rachel Nichols, Brian Windhorst, and The Truth discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the 2019-20 season.