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Covid-19 precautions forced the first postponement of the NBA season into just the second day of action on Wednesday when the Houston Rockets’ home game against Oklahoma City was canceled.
The league said three Rockets players had returned coronavirus tests that were positive or inconclusive.
Four other Rockets players had also been quarantined due to contact tracing measures and star James Harden was ruled out after a protocol violation. With one player injured as well, the Rockets didn’t have the required eight players available for the game.
“The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols,” the NBA said in a statement.
The postponement was the last thing the league expected on the second day of the season, when a full 13-game roster was scheduled.
ESPN reported Wednesday that the league was investigating Harden for a possible protocol violation after a video surfaced on social media that apparently showed him at a club without wearing a mask.
Harden, who was late to training camp and has been at the center of reports that he has demanded a trade, issued a statement on Instagram, denying the video shows him at a strip club but acknowledging that he was at an event.
“One thing after another,” Harden wrote. “I went to show my house girl love at her event (not at a strip club) because she’s becoming boss and putting her people in a position of success and now it’s a problem.
“Every day is something different. No matter how many times people try to drag my name under you, you can’t. “
However, apparently, the league’s investigation found that he had violated the rules prohibiting players from attending gatherings of more than 15 people.
The Rockets had noted in their official injury report that rookie Kenyon Martin Jr. was in “self-isolation” after a coronavirus test.
ESPN and the Athletic website had reported that Martin was among a group of players gathered Tuesday night at a player’s apartment for haircuts and that point guard John Wall and center DeMarcus Cousins could be ruled out. due to contract tracking protocols.
The Rockets had already recorded another positive test for coronavirus, that of reserve guard Ben McLemore.
“Three Houston Rockets players have returned tests that were positive or inconclusive for coronavirus under the NBA’s testing program,” the league said in a statement.
“Following contact tracing protocol, four other players are in quarantine at this time. Additionally, James Harden is unavailable due to a violation of the Health and Safety Protocols.
“Houston has an additional player who is unavailable due to injury. As such, the Rockets do not have the eight available players required by the league to continue tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “
The league said all other Rockets players were tested again Wednesday and returned negative results.
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