COVID-19 sidelines ESPN's Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy for Game 1 of NBA Finals
New York Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen looks on before an NBA basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
SAN FRANCISCO — ESPN’s Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy are sidelined for Game 1 of the NBA Finals after testing positive for COVID-19.
Mark Jones, Mark Jackson and Lisa Salters will be the broadcast team for Thursday night’s game between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors on ABC. As a result of the positive tests, an all-Black on-air game crew will broadcast an NBA Finals game.
Breen tested positive before last Sunday’s Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals in Miami and did not call that game. Van Gundy’s voice was hoarse during that game when he worked with Jones and Jackson.
There is a possibility that both Breen and Van Gundy could be back before Game 2 on Sunday night.
ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, who is on for pregame and halftime segments, also tested positive for COVID and is out.
More sports media
