Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook said Wednesday he is “grateful and blessed” to be able to participate in practice again after recovering from the coronavirus.
Westbrook spoke to the media ahead of Wednesday’s practice, his first with the team since he erased the NBA’s quarantine protocol on the league’s Walt Disney World campus. He arrived in Orlando, Florida on Monday after testing twice negative.
Westbrook said he was asymptomatic “other than a stuffy nose” and could do conditioning exercises during his quarantine at home.
“I’ve been home, trying to be productive,” said Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star who averages 27.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game in his first season with the Rockets. “Obviously, I can’t go up on the basketball floor, but I find ways to stay active, doing all the conditioning I can probably do. We’ll see [the conditioning level] when I go out, but that’s the last thing that worries me. I’m in very good shape, so it should be fine. “
Westbrook told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols that she tested positive for the coronavirus just after the July 4 weekend and would not have known she had COVID-19 if she did not undergo NBA testing.
Coach Mike D’Antoni said forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who was signed as a replacement after Thabo Sefolosha retired from the NBA restart, had been cleared and could arrive in Orlando as early as Wednesday.
It has not been determined whether Westbrook will play the Rockets’ scrimmage on Friday against the Toronto Raptors. D’Antoni said Westbrook would make the decision, in consultation with the team’s medical personnel.
“What he wants is great,” said D’Antoni, who expected Westbrook to participate in “at least 80%” of Friday’s practice. “He knows his body. Again, we are not talking about a normal athlete. We are talking about a super athlete, and sometimes I underestimate him. I know that today he might have difficulties completing practice, but he could have no problem. We trust him and on the medical staff to make an informed decision, and whatever that decision is, we will go with it. “
Westbrook said it was too early to know if he planned to skimp on Friday.
“I have no idea if I can make a tray right now,” Westbrook joked. “I have to start there first. Once I start there, I will go my way from there.”
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