Kings-Pelicans suspended over concern referee Kirkland worked Utah game earlier in week

Before officials announced minutes before the scheduled tipoff that the game had been postponed, New Orleans players expressed concern about Kirkland and never left the opposing team's locker room

The game between Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans has been suspended minutes before the tip-off because one of the three referees officiated Utah Jazz early this week.
Jazz big man Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus.
NBA also temporarily suspended the season.

Per ESPN, The NBA said “the game was canceled out of an abundance of caution because one of the referees assigned to work in the game also worked a Utah Jazz game earlier this week.” The referee was Courtney Kirkland.

Kirkland was one of the officials for the Utah-Toronto tilt on Monday in Salt Lake City. Utah center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. That led the Jazz-Thunder game to be postponed and the NBA to suspend its season.

Before officials announced minutes before the scheduled tipoff that the game had been postponed, New Orleans players expressed concern about Kirkland and never left the opposing team’s locker room.