:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68575466/1291855976.0.jpg)
The Houston Rockets offseason has been given an extension.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets’ season opener vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder has been postponed.
Game is postponed, league says. https://t.co/47WBTLdS8W
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 23, 2020
The game was postponed because contact tracing ruled out most of the roster, giving the Rockets fewer than the necessary eight players to play in tonight’s game.
Ben McLemore, who was ruled out yesterday due to a positive COVID test.
James Harden, who was seen on social media at a largely-attended event without a mask, was ruled out after violating the league’s health and safety protocols.
After the NBA declared James Harden "unavailable due to violation of health and safety protocols," it is still unclear to both Harden and the Rockets how long he'll be unavailable or whether he'll face league punishment, sources tell @ramonashelburne and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 23, 2020
The league fined James Harden $50,000 for this violation, but did not suspend him, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
The NBA announced that James Harden has been fined $50,000 for his violation of health and safety protocols. No suspension.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 24, 2020
The team also ruled out KJ Martin after he had a positive test that needed more conclusivity. Contact tracing led to ruling out several other Rockets, including John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Jae’Sean Tate and Mason Jones.
The next steps for the Rockets are uncertain, but for now, the team has a game scheduled for Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Dream Shake will continue to update this developing story.