The Chinese government has issued an order restricting the return of team sports to competition as the spread of the coronavirus slows in the country, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. He adds that the decision is a "heavy blow" for professional basketball there and other leagues around the world were closely monitoring China's decision-making.
No timetable was shared for the restriction to be lifted, according to ESPN
The main concern would be asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 that could pass on the disease to others who are more at-risk.
On March 11 the Chinese Basketball Association had informed American players to plan on returning to China for a possible return to competition in early April.