ESPN lead NBA play-by-player Mike Breen, game analyst Jeff Van Gundy and insider Adrian Wojnarowski are all out for Game 1 of the NBA Finals due to COVID-19, The Post has learned.
There was a hope that Breen, who is said to feel fine, would be cleared to call Thursday night’s game, but he was ruled out hours before opening tip as he did not pass NBA and/or Disney protocols.
Game analyst Mark Jackson, the only member of ESPN’s No. 1 team deemed healthy, was scheduled to be joined by Mark Jones on the Finals. ESPN confirmed all the moves.
Jones filled in for Breen on Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. During that broadcast, Van Gundy was noticeably hoarse, which led to concern that he might have COVID.
ESPN has Doris Burke on radio, where she is an analyst with P.J. Carlesimo and play-by-player Marc Kestecher.
The hope for Breen and Van Gundy is to rejoin Jackson by Game 2 in San Francisco on Sunday.
Jeff Van Gundy (c.) with Mike Breen (r.) and Mark Jackson (l.) Getty Images
Adrian Wojnarowski NBAE via Getty ImagesWojnarowski appears on “NBA Countdown,” but his main role for ESPN is breaking news for the network. He could join the crew in Boston or could potentially work remotely.
