OKC-Houston game postponed, Harden out after COVID violation
HOUSTON » The James Harden soap opera in Houston now comes with a canceled season opener — and a $50,000 fine for the league’s leading scorer.
Houston’s opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night was scrapped after coronavirus cases and Harden’s violation of the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols left the Rockets without the league-mandated eight players available.
It was a dispiriting blow to the NBA on just the second night of an uncertain season launching with the pandemic still raging.
The NBA announced the postponement in a release that said three Rockets players had returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive and that four other players were quarantined because of contract tracing.
The release also said Harden was unavailable because of a violation of health and safety protocols after video of the disgruntled star surfaced on social media where he was without a mask at a crowded party in a private event space Monday night.
The league later announced the fine for Harden, saying the protocols prohibit attending indoor social gatherings of
15 or more people or entering bars, lounges, clubs or similar establishments. PACERS 121, KNICKS 107 » Domantas Sabonis scored a career-high 32 points and Victor Oladipo added
16 of his 22 in the second half, leading Indiana over New York.
Sabonis also grabbed
13 rebounds as new coach Nate Bjorkgren celebrated his first career victory. RJ Barrett finished with 26 points and Alec Burks had
22 for New York in coach Tom Thibodeau’s debut.
PELICANS113,RAPTORS99» JJ Redick converted a fourpoint play with just over a minute remaining and finished with 23 points, and Brandon Ingram led all scorers with 24 as New Orleans rallied from an
11-point deficit and beat relocated Toronto.
Zion Williamson finished with 15 points and
10 rebounds to help new coach Stan Van Gundywin his New Orleans debut. CELTICS 122, BUCKS 121 » Jayson Tatum banked in a fallaway, go-ahead
3-pointer in the final second, and Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the potential tying free throw with
0.4 seconds left, allowing Boston to escape with a victory over Milwaukee.