Rockets guard Austin Rivers said Saturday on social media that he had returned to the NBA “bubble” complex in Florida. Barring any further complications, the timetable means that he should be available when Houston resumes its 2019-20 regular season next Friday versus Dallas.
A day earlier, news leaked that Rivers had left the bubble to tend to an urgent family matter. Fortunately for Rivers, his family lives in Orlando — only about 20 minutes from Disney World. That presumably led to streamlined logistics, and a quick return to the Grand Floridian.
Because Rivers left the bubble, the NBA’s safety protocols call for him to quarantine in his hotel room for four days upon re-entry before resuming basketball activities. He must test negative for COVID-19 on all of those days, as well, before he can rejoin his teammates.
With Rivers back in the bubble Saturday, his quarantine will take him until Tuesday or Wednesday before he can be cleared. That means he’ll certainly miss Sunday’s second of three scrimmages for the Rockets, and potentially Tuesday night’s final scrimmage, too. However, he should be cleared well before next Friday’s opener for regular-season play.
Now 27 years old, the 6-foot-4 Rivers is averaging 8.5 points (35.8% on 3-pointers) and 2.4 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game this season. As a key backup to All-Star guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden, Houston relies on Rivers for ball-handling, shooting, and on-ball defense.
