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

Michael Wyke/Associated Press

The Houston Rockets may be beginning the season shorthanded versus the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium: “Several Houston Firecrackers, including John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and possibly more, are anticipated to miss tonight’s season opener vs. OKC due to coronavirus contact tracing.”

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN added novice guard Mason Jones’ status is also in question due to call tracing.

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

Harden denied he was at a strip club:

Rachel Nichols @Rachel__Nichols

From James Harden’s Instagram- the issue the NBA is investigating, obviously, isn’t whether he was at a strip club specifically. It’s being at an indoor gathering with a crowd of individuals without a mask, all of which protests NBA rules 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 individuals. Violating those procedures might result in a fine or suspension. Harden currently broke the league’s procedures in the preseason when he checked out Las Vegas strip clubs and participated in rap artist Lil Infant’s birthday celebration.

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

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

There was a group of Houston gamers– consisting of Martin, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins– far from the center at a home getting haircuts, sources said. That’s led to the contact tracing on Wall and Cousins as team awaits more screening results on Martin, sources said.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that “ the contact tracing which is expected to cause several gamers not being readily available tonight versus OKC is not tied to Solidify.”

The whole scenario has actually left the Thunder in limbo, however:

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps

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

As for the Rockets, it’s another complicated situation in what has currently been a tumultuous offseason, with Harden supposedly wishing to be traded and Russell Westbrook already turned for Wall after being dissatisfied in Houston.

Not the most convenient method for new head coach Stephen Silas to begin his tenure with the Rockets.

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