Multiple ESPN broadcasters will miss Game 1 with COVID, per report

ESPN color commentator Jeff Van Gundy will miss Game 1 of the NBA Finals after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the New York Post.

The news of Van Gundy’s positive test comes on the heels of his broadcast partner, Mike Breen, being forced to miss Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and Celtics after he tested positive for COVID.

The NY Post reported ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is also positive for COVID-19 and will be unable to report from Chase Center until he is cleared from the NBA and Disney’s health and safety protocols.

During Sunday’s broadcast of the Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN turned to Mark Jones to replace Breen as the network’s play-by-play voice. Van Gundy had not yet tested positive, but his voice was strained on the broadcast and there was speculation on social media that he was also dealing with COVID-19.

Breen was hopeful to return for Game 1 of the Finals between the Warriors and Celtics on Thursday, but according to Sports Business Daily’s John Ourand, he’s been ruled out. Despite being in close proximity to Van Gundy during their last broadcast, Jones is available and is slated to step in as ESPN’s play-by-play voice on Thursday if Breen is not cleared.

ESPN typically operates with a three-person broadcast booth during the NBA Finals, but it does not appear the network has plans to replace Van Gundy in its booth. Jones will call the game with former Golden State head coach Mark Jackson as the lone analyst.

According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, they’ll be joined by Lisa Salters on the sideline, forming the first all-Black broadcast team in NBA Finals history.

Marc Kestecher will be the play-by-play voice of the NBA Finals on ESPN radio and will work alongside analysts Doris Burke and P.J. Carlesimo, another former Warriors head coach.