Rudy Gobert nets first points of NBA restart after causing coronavirus pause

Talk about things coming full circle.

Rudy Gobert, who contracted the coronavirus in mid-March which led to the shutdown of the NBA season and all sports soon after, scored the first two points of the NBA restart on Thursday night.

The Utah Jazz center made a layup and drew a foul on the Pelicans’ Derrick Favors, but missed the free throw in his attempt for the traditional 3-point play.

On March 11, the Jazz-Oklahoma City Thunder game was canceled and it was later discovered Gobert contracted COVID-19. Later that night, the NBA suspended its season.

Gobert’s teammate Donovan Mitchell also contracted the virus. Mitchell and his Jazz teammates were angry at Gobert for his careless attitude about the virus during a press conference before he realized he had the virus. But a few days later Mitchell said he had time to “cool off” and was glad his teammate was doing better.

About two weeks later Gobert and Mitchell were cleared of coronavirus symptoms.

Gobert also won the game for the Jazz, sinking two free throws with 6.9 seconds to give Utah a 106-104 victory. It capped off a 14-point, 12-rebound and three-block performance for the big man.