Report: Wall, Cousins, More Rockets Likely to Miss Opener Charge to COVID Tracing

Michael Wyke/Associated Press

The Houston Rockets might be starting the season shorthanded versus the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium: “A Number Of Houston Rockets, consisting of John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and perhaps more, are expected to miss out on tonight’s season opener vs. OKC due to coronavirus contact tracing.”

James Harden‘s status is also in question. Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Firecrackers and NBA are “ reviewing video of Harden partying maskless at a strip club to identify if he broke the league’s COVID-19 procedures, putting the seasonal All-Star’s schedule for Houston’s season opener Wednesday night in question.”

Harden rejected he was at a strip club:

Rachel Nichols @Rachel__Nichols

From James Harden’s Instagram- the issue the NBA is examining, obviously, isn’t whether he was at a strip club specifically. It’s being at an indoor event with a crowd of people without a mask, all of which protests NBA guidelines right now. https://t.co/pXIMJvDQ9Z

As MacMahon kept in mind, the NBA’s coronavirus procedures prohibit gamers from going to clubs, bars or social gatherings with 15 or more individuals. Breaking those protocols might result in a fine or suspension. Harden already violated the league’s procedures in the preseason when he visited Las Vegas strip clubs and attended rap artist Lil Baby’s birthday celebration.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that both Wall and Cousins evaluated unfavorable for COVID-19 however among the Firecrackers checked favorable and is being re-tested, with MacMahon reporting that rookie Kenyon Martin Jr. was listed on the group’s injury report as “ Not With Group– Self Isolating.”

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

There was a group of Houston gamers– consisting of Martin, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins– far from the facility at an apartment getting haircuts, sources said. That’s caused the contact tracing on Wall and Cousins as group awaits more screening results on Martin, sources stated.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that “ the contact tracing which is expected to lead to a number of gamers not being offered tonight against OKC is not tied to Harden.”

The whole circumstance has actually left the Thunder in limbo, nevertheless:

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps

Ahead of tonight’s arranged video game between the Houston Firecrackers and Oklahoma City Thunder, sources say that the Thunder have actually not had any interaction from the league about what is taking place, or the status of tonight’s video game.

When It Comes To the Rockets, it’s another complicated circumstance in what has actually currently been a troubled offseason, with Harden reportedly wishing to be traded and Russell Westbrook already turned for Wall after being dissatisfied in Houston.

Not the most convenient way for brand-new head coach Stephen Silas to begin his period with the Rockets.

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