NBA probes James Harden strip club video for potential COVID violation

If the video is determined to be recent, it could jeopardize Harden’s availability for Wednesday’s opening game of the 2020-21 season.

Hours before Wednesday night’s opening game of the 2020-21 regular season, the Houston Rockets are working with the NBA to review a video on social media showing All-Star guard James Harden at a strip club. While the video was uploaded on Tuesday, there was no immediate confirmation as to whether it was actually taken in recent days.

“If the video circulating on social media is verified to be recent, it is a violation of league’s COVID protocols, which would put Harden’s availability for tonight’s opener in jeopardy,” tweeted ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. There is no clear timetable for a resolution.

If recent, the league could be especially harsh in its discipline of Harden, since he would be a repeat offender. When training camp began earlier this month in Houston, videos surfaced of Harden partying at various locations in Atlanta and Las Vegas — usually indoors and without a mask. The NBA then forced Harden to test negative for COVID-19 for six straight days before he could work with the Rockets in a group setting.

If a similar timetable is put into place this week, it could jeopardize Harden’s availability beyond simply the opener versus Oklahoma City. NBA players are tested for COVID-19 daily, but there are strict protocols in place for social settings, such as clubs and restaurants. As was the case in Atlanta and Las Vegas, Harden was not wearing a mask in the video.

However, before any discipline can be handed out, the NBA has to confirm that the video isn’t old. As of Wednesday morning, that’s what officials with the Rockets and the league office were working to do.

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