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The NBA preseason is set to start this week but James Harden, who reportedly requested a trade this offseason, is still MIA from Rockets camp.
On Sunday, the disgruntled Harden missed the team’s first practice after being spotted in a strip club in Vegas. According to ESPN, Harden told the team he would join them for an individual workout on Sunday but ended up no-showing.
Rockets coach Stephen Silas says James Harden did not attend the team's first practice today as Houston had hoped
Silas says that Harden is expected to participate in an individual workout later tonight
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 6, 2020
Source: James Harden did not return to Houston for his anticipated individual workout Sunday evening but told Rockets management he will report soon.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 7, 2020
Apparently, Harden was seen by people on social media partying it up in Vegas after falling to report to practice on Sunday.
It appears James Harden was still partying in Las Vegas last night, this time at Drai’s Nightclub.
Harden reportedly missed both a team team practice and an individual workout on Sunday, though the Rockets expect him soon.
As usual, more video below.
(PC: cbodadon on IG) pic.twitter.com/eQ8PUsLvW2
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) December 7, 2020
the plot thickens
reports Harden didnt leave Vegas Sunday, new IG story from Drais appears
my first thought was: “is this from Saturday night just uploaded later?”
possibly, however, screenshot 1: Harden has black sweatshirt. 3 & 4 from overnight: white sweatshirt + hat. pic.twitter.com/mRs4JBtBW4
— Sherwob Holmes (@WorldWideWob) December 7, 2020
According to NBA guidelines, Harden was supposed to have self-quarantined for a week before joining his team at training camp.
Players were required to report to home markets by Nov. 28 or Nov. 30 to begin daily coronavirus testing and then to "self-quarantine at home" apart from testing at team facilities, individual workouts and "essential activities" such as grocery shopping/taking children to school
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 6, 2020
Harden is also clearly violating the NBA’s ban on clubs/bars that was implemented earlier this week.
At home, players and staff are not allowed to enter: Bars/lounges/clubs; live entertainment/gaming venues (with limited exceptions), public gyms/spas/pool areas, or large indoor social gatherings (15 or more people), NBA tells teams in expanded Health and Safety Guide.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 5, 2020
It’s unclear how the Rockets/NBA are going to handle the Harden situation but it’s going to get uglier the longer it goes on.