Last week, Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones said renovations for Talking Stick Resort Arena and construction of the new practice facility will remain on schedule despite the NBA suspending its season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“There’s so many levels to it,” Jones said last Friday. “Our arena, they’re working around the clock behind the scenes. It won’t push us back. Both should be ready.”

A week later, team officials confirm Thursday both projects are still on schedule for completion as the arena was scheduled for fumigation last week.

The $45-million, 50,000 square foot practice facility privately funded by the Suns being built on 44th Street just north of Camelback Road has a Aug. 1 target date.

The $230-million arena renovation project is scheduled to have 65% of the upgrades done going into the 2020-21 season.

The arena is shutdown for the general public as events have been postponed or canceled, but team officials said operational employees like security continues to work there. That enables construction workers to enter the arena and proceed to renovate it.

Team officials also confirmed the players remain on lockdown from the arena as sources informed The Republic earlier this week the Suns have contacted the players to see if they need food or water.

Season ticket sales renewals have been pushed back to April 24 as the original final date to renew was April 1. Season ticket holders were alerted of the schedule change Thursday afternoon, team officials said.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced last week the 2019-20 season would be on hold “at least 30 days” the day after Utah Jazz all-star center Rudy Gobert became the first known player to test positive for the virus.

The league suspended play March 10.

As of Thursday afternoon, there are now a total of 11 known coronavirus cases involving five NBA teams – Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers.

Phoenix last played each of those teams on the following dates.

Feb. 28 – vs. Detroit (L, 113-111)

Feb. 24 – at Utah (W, 131-111)

Feb. 8 – vs. Denver (L, 117-108)

Feb. 3 – at Brooklyn (L, 119-97)

Nov. 4 – vs. Philadelphia (W, 114-109)

The Suns were originally scheduled to play March 27 at Philadelphia and April 11 against Utah at home. They’ve already played their scheduled games against the Nets, Pistons and Nuggets.

Last Friday, Jones declined to say whether the Suns' players have been tested for coronavirus.

“If situation presents themselves where guys need to be tested, they’ll be tested,” Jones said.

The Suns GM added, “you don’t want to force a guy to take a test that he may not want to take.”

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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