The Houston Rockets and the NBA watch a video of James Harden partying without a mask at a strip club to determine if he violated the league’s COVID-19 protocols, revealing the All-Star guard’s availability for the first time. is called into question. Houston’s season game Wednesday night, sources told ESPN.
The video, posted by Black Sports Online and circulating on social media, is said to be from a Christmas party at the Houston strip club held this week. The Rockets and the league office are trying to verify that this is indeed a recent video, which would confirm that Harden violated league protocols.
The NBA’s COVID protocols prohibit players from going to bars, lounges or clubs and participating in social gatherings of more than 15 people.
In accordance with health and safety protocols, failure to comply or refuse to comply may subject a player to disciplinary action by the NBA or its team, including a warning, fine and / or suspension, in addition to an obligation to participate in an education or training session. Frequent offenders may be subject to more severe disciplinary action.
A suspension would cost Harden $ 284,517 per game, which is 1/145 of his salary.
Harden, who applied to be swapped by the team, violated the league’s COVID protocols during his brief absence from the start of training camp, attending rapper Lil Baby’s birthday party in Atlanta and going out in Las Vegas. The competition required Harden to have negative coronavirus tests for six consecutive days before he was allowed to practice with the Rockets.
Sources told ESPN that Harden had COVID-19 during the summer before the NBA season reboot, which is why he was late for the Walt Disney World bubble. Players who have recovered from the coronavirus must still follow the competition’s health and safety protocols.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks contributed to this report.