By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Houston Rockets‘ James Harden has been fined $50,000 for violating the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the league announced on Wednesday night, after videos showing Harden at a party without a mask began circulating on social media.
The league investigated the videos and determined that Harden had indeed violated the health and safety protocols set by the league, though he will not be suspended. Per NBA COVID-19 protocols, players are prohibited from going to bars, lounges or clubs and participating in social gatherings of more than 15 people.
Rockets‘ season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder has been postponed, after the team didn’t have the league-required eight available players needed to proceed with the game. Harden tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but he was marked unavailable for the game.
He will be cleared by Friday to become available on Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers provided he produces a fourth negative test, per ESPN.