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

Michael Wyke/Associated Press

The Houston Rockets might be beginning the season shorthanded against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Arena: “Numerous Houston Rockets, consisting of John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and perhaps more, are anticipated 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 Rockets and NBA are “ evaluating video of Harden partying maskless at a strip club to figure out if he broke the league’s COVID-19 procedures, putting the seasonal All-Star’s schedule for Houston’s season opener Wednesday night in concern.”

Harden rejected he was at a strip club:

Rachel Nichols @Rachel__Nichols

From James Harden’s Instagram- the problem the NBA is investigating, obviously, isn’t whether he was at a strip club particularly. It’s being at an indoor event with a crowd of people without a mask, all of which is against NBA guidelines today. https://t.co/pXIMJvDQ9Z

As MacMahon noted, the NBA’s coronavirus procedures restrict players from going to clubs, bars or celebrations with 15 or more people. Violating those procedures might lead to a fine or suspension. Harden already violated the league’s procedures in the preseason when he checked out Las Vegas strip clubs and went to rapper Lil Infant’s birthday party.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that both Wall and Cousins evaluated negative for COVID-19 but among the Rockets checked positive and is being re-tested, with MacMahon reporting that rookie Kenyon Martin Jr. was noted on the team’s injury report as “ Not With Group– Self Isolating.”

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

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

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

The entire situation has left the Thunder in limbo, however:

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps

Ahead of tonight’s arranged game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, sources state that the Thunder have actually not had any interaction from the league about what is happening, or the status of tonight’s game.

As for the Firecrackers, it’s another complex scenario in what has currently been a turbulent offseason, with Harden reportedly wishing to be traded and Russell Westbrook already flipped for Wall after being unhappy in Houston.

Not the simplest method for brand-new head coach Stephen Silas to start his tenure with the Firecrackers.

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