The Houston Rockets and the NBA review James Harden’s video of a party without a mask at a strip club to determine if he violated the league’s COVID-19 protocols, calling into question the perennial All-Star’s availability for the Houston season opener Wednesday night, sources told ESPN.
The video, posted by Black Sports Online and circulating on social media, allegedly comes from the Christmas party of a Houston strip club held this week. The Rockets and the league office are trying to verify that this is a recent video, which would confirm that Harden violated the league’s protocols.
NBA COVID-19 protocols prohibit players from going to bars, lounges, or clubs and participating in social gatherings of more than 15 people.
According to health and safety protocols, a breach or refusal to comply could subject a player to disciplinary action by the NBA or its team, including a warning, fine and / or suspension, in addition to being required to participate. in an education or training session. Recidivists may be subject to improved discipline.
A suspension would cost Harden $ 284,517 per game, which is 1 / 145th of his salary.
Harden, who has applied to be swapped, violated league COVID-19 protocols during his brief stay at the start of training camp when he attended rapper Lil Baby’s birthday party in Atlanta and attended Las Vegas clubs. The league required Harden to have six consecutive days of negative coronavirus testing before getting him to practice with the Rockets.
Sources told ESPN that Harden had COVID-19 over the summer before restarting the NBA season, which is why he was late reporting on the Walt Disney World league bubble. Players who have recovered from the coronavirus still have to follow league safety and health protocols.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks contributed to this report.