Houston Rockets superstar and 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook said on Monday that he had recently tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The nine-time NBA All-Star becomes the league’s most visible player to date to have his COVID-19 diagnosis become public.
Both Westbrook and fellow MVP James Harden have yet to report with the rest of the Rockets to the NBA’s “bubble” site in Florida, where the 2019-20 season will restart later this month. However, the team had yet to give a clear reason as to why. For medical privacy reasons, NBA teams are not required to disclose personal issues related to COVID-19.
In a statement posted Monday morning to his social media platforms, the 31-year-old Westbrook wrote:
I tested positive for COVID-19 prior to my team’s departure to Orlando. I’m currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining my teammates when I am cleared. Thank you for all the well wishes and continued support. Please take this virus seriously. Be safe. Mask up!
Rockets forward Thabo Sefolosha, who opted out of playing in Florida, said earlier this month that some of his teammates had tested positive.
After Sunday’s team practice, which was the second for the Rockets since arriving in Florida, head coach Mike D’Antoni addressed the status of the team’s three missing players — Westbrook, Harden, and newcomer Luc Mbah a Moute. “These are things that people are dealing with,” he said. “We’re not going to get in why, why not. They’re on their way.”
D’Antoni said the Rockets were hopeful that all three would rejoin the team by the “middle of the week.”
To date, Westbrook is averaging 27.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game in a brilliant debut season in Houston. Westbrook’s 47.4% shooting clip is the best of his 12-year career, and his scoring and efficiency metrics have progressively improved throughout the season.
In February, which was the last complete month of NBA games, Westbrook was very nearly the Western Conference Player of the Month.
The 2019-20 regular season doesn’t resume for the Rockets until July 31, so that leaves almost three weeks for Westbrook to rejoin his teammates before any games of significance are played. Monday will serve as Houston’s third team practice since arriving in Florida.
Since Westbrook, Harden, and Mbah a Moute were not on the team’s original charter flight to Florida, they must test negative three times for COVID-19 before traveling to Orlando. Late arrivers must also go through the NBA’s initial two-day period of self-quarantine and COVID-19 testing upon entering the bubble. That means they won’t be able to join their team on the practice court until two days after their arrival.
D’Antoni will speak to the media after Monday’s practice, which will be the first public comments by anyone affiliated with the Rockets since Westbrook’s diagnosis became public knowledge.
