With the first scrimmage for the Houston Rockets just five days away, All-Star guard Russell Westbrook remained away from the team as of Sunday’s practice at the NBA “bubble” near Orlando.
Westbrook announced last Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19 prior to Houston’s July 9 departure for Orlando. As part of the NBA’s safety protocols to prevent potential coronavirus spread within its bubble, Westbrook must test negative multiple times before traveling to Florida. Even after arriving, he must self-quarantine in his room for two nights and test negative on the following days before joining the team.
Considering those logistics, it’s far from a given that Westbrook will be available to play in Friday night’s opening scrimmage versus Toronto. Nonetheless, Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni said before Sunday’s practice that Westbrook is in “pretty good shape” and “getting closer” to rejoining his teammates. Among D’Antoni’s comments:
It’s getting closer, but nothing to report definitively yet. But it’s progressing. I don’t want to go too far, because I don’t know. But it’s getting better, and we’re all hopeful. …
I do hear that he’s in pretty good shape, and he’s been ramping up.
Mike D'Antoni on Russell Westbrook and Luc Mbah a Moute:
"It's getting closer, but nothing to report definitively yet. But it's progressing. I don't want to go too far, because I don't know. But it's getting better, and we're all hopeful."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 19, 2020
Early last week, when James Harden had also yet to arrive in Florida, D’Antoni mentioned that both All-Star guards were “working out on their own” to stay in shape during their time away from team practices.
As a result, when Harden rejoined the Rockets at practice last Thursday, he was able to immediately scrimmage and be a full participant — even after missing the first five days. That could offer hope of Westbrook having a similarly fast acclimation period after his arrival.
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Now 31 years old, 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 year.
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. That leaves almost two weeks for the nine-time NBA All-Star and the league’s 2016-17 MVP to rejoin his teammates in Florida and complete the various logistics before any games of significance are played.
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