Phoenix Suns: Aron Baynes and Ricky Rubio tested positive for COVID-19

The ominous absence of the two Phoenix Suns has finally been explained with news on both being shared on Wednesday afternoon.

Remember a few weeks back where news broke that two unnamed members of the Phoenix Suns had tested positive for COVID 19? Well the names are in, and both were revealed early on Wednesday afternoon.

They were Aron Baynes and Ricky Rubio.

Rubio and Baynes were missing from early in the Phoenix Suns arrival to Orlando, and it did not go unnoticed. Whether it was scouring the various Suns social media posts or taking the direct route and asking coach Monty Williams, it was clear that certain players were indeed absent, and Suns fans wanted to know what the deal was.

With the return of the season looming, the fear only magnified, especially because Rubio and Baynes are big parts of the team and part of its surprising success. The uncertainty was starting to reach a fever pitch.

Then came the much-awaited news.

Both players revealed the information differently. Rubio shared with reporters that he had joined the Phoenix Suns in the bubble on Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19 and clearing the required protocol. The practice that he attended with the team that day was his first practice. He had tested positive in Phoenix while his family was in Spain, so the positive takeaway from that is that they were not impacted by the possible passing of the virus.

His comments were typical of Rubio: to the point, while also poised and aware of the bigger picture. He discussed his absence and return, his call to Breonna Taylor’s mother, (alongside CJ McCollum and others), and what he would wear on the back of his jersey (“justice”). It is unknown as to whether he will play in tomorrow’s scrimmage.

Baynes’ return is a little more complicated.

He is not with the team in Orlando. Baynes is still recovering and he shared in a one-on-one interview with Shams Charania that he has been in Phoenix continuing to test for antibodies. He is hoping to join the rest of his Suns teammates soon, but at this time there is no timetable for that reunion.

His loss is big regardless of the time it takes for him to return, but the hope is that he can join the Suns healthy and ready for action and that Rubio and the rest of the gang will be caught up in sync by that time to see what they can accomplish together in Orlando.