Just when you thought the James Harden mess in Houston couldn’t get any more dramatic, there’s something else.
Per ESPN, “The Houston Rockets and the NBA are reviewing video of James Harden partying maskless at a strip club to determine if he violated the league’s COVID-19 protocols, putting the perennial All-Star’s availability for Houston’s season opener Wednesday night in question.”
The protocol in question is one that calls for players not to attend social gatherings or to go to bars or clubs. If an NBA investigation finds a violation, he could be fined or suspended.
Harden posted this on Instagram Wednesday around noon Eastern amid the reports of the possible violation:
As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon pointed out, that’s an admission, confirming he was at a party:
James Harden clarified that the event in question was not at a strip club. By doing so, he admits violating the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, which prohibit players from going to bars, lounges or clubs or social events with more than 15 people. pic.twitter.com/K7GnJTxGBo
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 23, 2020
From the NBA health and safety protocols: Failure or refusal to comply with the protocols may subject players and team staff to disciplinary action by the NBA or his or her team which may include a warning, fine, and/or suspension.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 23, 2020
And just before we published this, there was this report:
Several Houston Rockets, including John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and possibly more, are expected to miss tonight's season opener vs. OKC due to coronavirus contact tracing, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 23, 2020
What a serious mess.
