Duke basketball hit with inevitable pause due to COVID

The Duke basketball team was hit with an inevitable pause due to positive COVID tests. 

As positive COVID cases spike around the country, the Duke basketball team is not immune to receiving positive tests within its program.

It was reported by multiple outlets that No. 2 Duke’s (11-1, 1-0 ACC) upcoming game against Clemson on Wednesday afternoon has been postponed due to health and safety protocols with the Blue Devils.

Both programs, along with the ACC, will look to reschedule the game after the conference revised its forfeit policy on teams unable to play due to the virus.

Carolina Blitz first reported the news of the outbreak in Durham.

Duke had previously avoided an outbreak on its team and only reported one case prior to its holiday break when assistant coach Nolan Smith tested positive over a week ago and missed games against Elon and Virginia Tech, both Blue Devil victories.

ALSO READ: Duke thrives after finally debuting new lineup

However, the five-time National Champions are reportedly dealing with multiple positive cases among players on the team.

Virginia Tech, who was in Durham on Wednesday, also went on pause after its loss against Duke.

Mike Krzyzewski saw his team’s season come to an end over the last two seasons due to COVID, in 2019-20 after the beginning of the pandemic shut down the entire season and in 2020-21 after multiple positive tests in the program ended the season in the midst of the ACC Tournament.

The entire Duke roster and staff is vaccinated against the virus in accordance with university policies.

Duke basketball schedule in limbo

Duke has only announced that its matchup against Clemson has been postponed while others have reported that Saturday’s game against Notre Dame has also been postponed.

While it seems likely, there has been no official confirmation from the program that its trip to South Bend on January 1 has been called off.

The Blue Devils do not return to Cameron Indoor Stadium until January 4 against Georgia Tech, who is dealing with its own issues surrounding COVID.