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VIDEO: Dwane Casey optimistic about NBA's return, but thankful for Pistons' health

Posted at 10:18 PM, Mar 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-26 22:18:39-04

DETROIT — Pistons head coach Dwane Casey had his wife drop dinner at the door, knock, and walk away.

Casey's new reality came faster than most of America's new reality because the NBA was hit with the American sports world's first big coronavirus case.

Upon exiting self-isolation, Casey talked with WXYZ about Christian Wood's positive coronavirus test and the way he's since recovered.

"The first thing you think about is your family, your kids, and each player's family and kids. To see if they had exposure, whatever happened," Casey said. "At the same time, we didn't want to ostracize Christian and put him off on an island by himself. He's one of us."

Wood passed his second negative test for COVID-19, marking his recovery. He is one of 10 known players in the NBA to have tested positive for the virus.

"We were behind him. The whole organization stepped up and did a great job," Casey said. "We wanted to make sure he was like a son or part of the family."

The NBA's timeline to return is unknown. Casey remains hopeful for the health of the league and the country as a whole.

"I told our players, 'We have to approach this as if we're gonna play in a month.' We have to be optimistic," Casey added.