Rockets’ Westbrook reports positive COVID-19 test
Houston’s Russell Westbrook hasn’t made it to the NBA restart yet.
The coronavirus did, but health protocols seemed to work as the league and its players hoped they would.
On a day of troubling news for the league — Westbrook revealing that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and two other players facing 10-day quarantines for leaving the league campus perimeter at Walt Disney World — it also was announced that two players tested positive for the coronavirus after arriving in Central Florida last week.
But neither player made it out of quarantine, so neither entered the bubble. The NBA said both players, neither of whom were identified, “have since left the Campus to isolate at home or in isolation housing.”
“Our protocols are unbelievable,” Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said. “I think our protocols and our health and safety measures have been topnotch. I think this thing will work perfectly . ... We’re doing everything that we can possibly do to make sure that we’re healthy, we’re safe and we’re in an environment where we can be successful and do our jobs at a high level.”
It’s unclear when Westbrook will arrive. As recently as Sunday, the Rockets believed that Westbrook and James Harden — neither of whom traveled with the team last week — would be with the team in the next few days.
In Westbrook’s case, that now seems most unlikely.
“I tested positive for covid-19 prior to my teams departure to Orlando,” Westbrook wrote on his social media channels. “I’m currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining my teammates when I am cleared.”
Westbrook is averaging 27.5 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per game for the
Rockets this season. Houston has clinched a playoff spot and resumes its season with the first of eight seeding games on July 31 against Dallas.
“I’m praying for his safety and the same for his family,” Phoenix guard Devin Booker said. “Hopefully he can get healthy and get down here as soon as possible.”
The league also said Monday that 19 players newly tested positive since July 1 during inmarket testing, meaning tests done before teams began arriving at Disney on July 7. Upon arrival at Disney, 322 players were tested with the two positives.
“All we can do is try to stay optimistic about it and positive, and hopefully we can finish this season,” said Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, the reigning NBA Finals MVP.
Inside the NBA bubble, however, optimism that the rules established by the league and the players will work — even though some Disney parks reopened to visitors over the weekend and the MLS restart, also at the campus, has seen two teams leave after a spate of positive tests.
“It’s a condition, a virus, that does not discriminate,” Phoenix
coach Monty Williams said. “And we’re trying to do everything we can to keep our guys safe.”
Those protocols that Lowry spoke of were designed to be taken seriously, and at least two players inside the NBA bubble have already paid a steep price for violating quarantine upon their teams’ respective arrivals last week.
Houston Rockets forward Bruno Caboclo and Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes broke quarantine at the NBA’s complex and were ordered to self-quarantine in their hotel room 10 days before resuming team activities, the league announced.
LAKERS’ DAVIS, JAMES TO WEAR
OWN NAME ON JERSEYS >> Anthony Davis will wear his own name on the back of his jersey when the Los Angeles Lakers return to action. Davis confirmed his decision Sunday in a conference call from Orlando, where the Western Conferenceleading Lakers are beginning team workouts.
Davis and LeBron James both declined to choose a social justice message to replace their names on the back of their jerseys during the NBA restart.
James said he decided to forgo a social justice message because the available options didn’t “resonate” for him.
LAKERS’ RONDO BREAKS THUMB
IN PRACTICE >> Rajon Rondo broke his right thumb in practice with the Lakers in Florida.
The veteran point guard will be out for six to eight weeks, the Lakers said Sunday night. Rondo will have surgery this week. Rondo has been a key backup during his second season with the Lakers. James typically functions as the Lakers’ point guard with the starting unit, but Rondo frequently took on the role while James rested or while both veterans were on the floor together.
Rondo is averaging 7.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 48 appearances this season, including three starts.