Rudy Gobert still feeling some effects of Covid-19 in late June

The first NBA player to test positive for Covid-19 is still feeling some effects from the virus. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert told French publication L’Equipe his sense of smell is still inhibited and it could take up to a year for that to return to 100 percent (via Hoops Hype).

“The taste has returned, but the smell is still not 100%. I can smell the smells, but not from afar. I spoke to specialists, who told me that it could take up to a year.”

Gobert’s positive test resulted in the NBA suspending the season indefinitely back in March. The All Star reportedly had a mild case of the virus, and was believed to have passed it along to his teammate Donovan Mitchell.

Gobert told L’Equipe he is doing stamina work and does not feel more tired than before the virus. He did acknowledge as recently as six weeks ago having some experiences that scared him.

The league has health and safety protocols in place, but if a player catches the virus, a simple quarantine might not be enough. If that player deals with subsequent breathing issues, he could miss significant time in not only ridding himself of the virus, but also getting over any respiratory issues that might come with it.

The Jazz are currently 41-23 and the No. 4 seed heading into the return in Orlando. They’ve got a relatively tough schedule coming back with their first game against the New Orleans Pelicans on July 30 at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT. If the Jazz are without Gobert in Orlando, it’ll be hard to envision them making any type of run in the postseason.