Rockets Russell Westbrook Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Jul 13, 2020, 12:26 PM | Updated: 12:29 pm
Russell Westbrook (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets said Monday that he has tested positive for coronavirus, and that he plans to eventually join his team at the restart of the NBA season.
Westbrook made the revelation on social media. As recently as Sunday, the Rockets believed that Westbrook and James Harden — neither of whom traveled with the team to Walt Disney World near Orlando last week — would be with the team in the next few days.
In Westbrook’s case, that now seems most unlikely.
“I tested positive for covid-19 prior to my teams departure to Orlando,” Westbrook wrote on his Instagram page. “I’m currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining my teammates when I am cleared.”
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) July 13, 2020
Westbrook is averaging 27.5 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per game for the Rockets this season. Houston has clinched a playoff spot and resumes its season with the first of eight seeding games on July 31 against Dallas.
Westbrook also offered a word of caution in his post.
“Thank you for all the well wishes and continued support,” he wrote. “Please take this virus seriously. Be safe. Mask up!”
Impact on the Utah Jazz
The impact of Westbrook’s positive test on the Utah Jazz will be determined by how quickly the guard can return to the floor. The Rockets sit just one game back of the Jazz for the fourth-seed in the Western Conference.
The two teams will not face each other during the final eight games of the regular season, however, a third consecutive playoff meeting is well within the realm of possibilities.
DONOVAN MITCHELL TIP SLAM! 😤🔥#TakeNote 103 | #Rockets 96 with 5:46 left.
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/B8iBewmQyN
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2018
The Rockets return to action to face the Dallas Mavericks on July 31. Depending on when Westbrook received his coronavirus test results, the guard should be able to enter the Orlando bubble campus before the beginning of the regular season.
Westbrook led the Rockets to a blistering 10-2 stretch through most of February. However, the Rockets lost four out of their final five games before the season was suspended.
