Houston Rockets rookie forward Jae’Sean Tate is now cleared from the NBA’s health and safety protocols after subsequent testing confirmed that his recent COVID-19 test result was a false positive.
Tate missed Wednesday’s loss to Philadelphia due to the positive test, which was the first game that Tate has missed in his young NBA career.
“I guess I gave a false positive,” Tate said on Friday. “The NBA protocol, there are certain things you have to do to be cleared. I had three negative tests back-to-back, so I’m good to go.” Tate said he had no symptoms and is vaccinated against COVID-19, so he was always skeptical that he had contracted the coronavirus, even after a positive test result.
Jae’Sean Tate says he had a false positive test which is why he was out for health and safety protocols. Never had COVID. pic.twitter.com/lMlcLxutPM
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 7, 2021
However, it’s possible that Tate might have missed Wednesday’s game, regardless. While Tate is with the Rockets in Milwaukee, he’s questionable for Friday night’s game due to a left knee contusion, which he suffered when he banged knees in Sunday’s home loss to New York. Tate subsequently had an MRI, but he said it came back clean.
Tate participated in Friday’s gameday shootaround but said his playing status would depend on how he feels after pregame warmups, along with consultation and advice from the team’s medical staff.
A 6-foot-4 forward, Tate is one of Houston’s most versatile players and likely its best on defense. The 25-year-old averages 11.2 points (51.3% FG), 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 29.4 minutes per game, and he’s expected to draw heavy consideration for the All-Rookie first team.
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Jae’Sean Tate says he never thought he had COVID. He says he’s dealt with a bunch of inconclusive tests plus another false positive. He’s been vaccinated and had no symptoms
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) May 7, 2021