Sports briefs
In the NBA
The NBA said Wednesday that 48 players have tested positive for the coronavirus since testing resumed last week.
The league and National Basketball Players Association said 546 players were tested between Nov. 24-30 in the initial phase of testing after returning to team markets. That means about 9% of the tests were positive.
In college football
The Las Vegas Bowl has been canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The game was slated to be the first bowl game played in Allegiant Stadium and was to feature a new matchup between the Pac-12 Conference and Southeastern Conference as part of a rotating cycle that also includes the Big Ten.
n Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel strongly rebuked any notion that the Wolverines would try to avoid facing rival Ohio State in the regular-season finale, calling the notion “ridiculous” and infuriating in a scathing statement Wednesday.
Manuel spoke hours after Michigan’s game against Maryland this weekend was canceled because of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Wolverines’ program. The outbreak could also threaten Michigan’s annual rivalry game against Ohio State on Dec. 12..
In auto racing
The Daytona 500 will have limited spectators for NASCAR’s season-opening race on Feb. 14. Daytona International Speedway did not specify Wednesday how many spectators will be admitted into “The Great American Race.”
Daytona said it will work to accommodate guests who have already purchased tickets to the race. The reseating process is expected to be complete by early January.
All guests will be screened before entering the facility and will be required to wear face coverings while maintaining six feet social distancing throughout their visit.