Martin back from COVID protocols
KJ Martin cleared health and safety protocols and practiced with the Rockets on Thursday, becoming the first to return of the four Rockets players placed in health and safety protocols earlier this week.
Martin did not play in either game of the Rockets’ back-to-back against the Hornets and Lakers after he tested positive for COVID-19 prior to Monday’s game in Charlotte despite being asymptomatic. He said he tested negative on both Tuesday and Wednesday, which allowed him to return to the team.
“I feel like I was gone for a month, but it was only three days,” Martin said Thursday. “I feel good. Still got my conditioning.”
Before his brush with the coronavirus, Martin had played in all but one of the Rockets’ games this season. The forward said that while being forced to sit out the losses to the Hornets and Lakers allowed him to see a new aspect of the game, he’s eager to be back. Martin was the last player off the floor at Thursday’s practice.
“That was the hardest thing, watching the game and wanting to help but I can’t,” he said. “It looks like they fought hard and everything but I’m glad to be back.”
D.J. Augustin, Garrison Mathews and Jae’Sean Tate remain out because of health and safety protocols. Rockets coach Stephen Silas said there is some hope, but no expectation, that any of the three will be able to play in this weekend’s home back-to-back against the Heat and Nuggets.
Martin’s return to action was accompanied by some bad news when guard DeJon Jarreau, who signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Rockets on Tuesday, was placed into health and safety protocols on Thursday. Because the Rockets still have 13 active players, they will not be required by the NBA to sign another temporary replacement player.