Shams: Rockets to be without several key players for tonight’s opener vs. Thunder

The Houston Rockets tip off their season tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the team will likely be missing some key pieces for tonight’s game.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, several Rockets including John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, will miss tonight’s game vs. the Thunder due to COVID-19 contact tracing.

The report comes after videos surfaced on social media of James Harden attending a large indoor gathering Monday evening. As of now, attending these types of events are prohibited in the NBA’s rules to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout the league.

According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, the NBA is currently investigating the video circulating online and it could lead to not only a suspension for Harden, but it could prohibit players like Wall and Cousins from making their Rockets debuts.

Harden admitted that the video was valid on his Instagram story, but denied that he was attending a strip club, like many people insinuated on social media.

The team is already without Ben McLemore, who is self-isolating after coming into close contact with a positive COVID case, though it is not believed to be within the Rockets organization.

However, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the team sent a group of players home today, including John Wall despite a negative COVID test, due to another positive test within the organization. Though it’s unsure if that person has contracted the virus or not.

There’s no telling how deep this rabbit hole goes, but it could prevent the Rockets from even playing tonight altogether.

The Dream Shake will continue to update this developing story.