NBA Season Restart 2019-20

Russell Westbrook clears protocol, joins Rockets' practice

From NBA media reports

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook returned to the floor on Wednesday after being away from the team due to a positive test for COVID-19.

Westbrook arrived in Orlando on Monday after quarantining for two weeks. Once he arrived in Orlando, he quarantined in his hotel room until he cleared the NBA’s protocol to enter the campus.

Westbrook told the media on Wednesday he experienced no COVID-19 symptoms beyond a stuffy nose. He is unsure how long it will take him to return to game shape.

“First of all, I’m just thankful and blessed to be able to go out and compete again,” Westbrook said. “But, just quarantining at home, trying to be productive, obviously not able to get on the basketball floor, but finding ways to kind of stay active and do as much conditioning I can probably do as far as that.

“That’s the last think I worry about, honestly. Before I had to quarantine, I was in pretty good shape so I should be all right.”

Coach Mike D’Antoni said Westbrook probably won’t be available for Friday’s scrimmage against the Toronto Raptors. Westbrook was expected to go through about 80% of Wednesday’s practice.

“We’ll wait the next two practices, see where he is,” D’Antoni said. “Whether he wants to be thrown out there real quick or wants another couple of days. Whatever he wants is cool. He knows his body. We’re not talking about a normal athlete. We’re talking about a super athlete.”

“I have to see if I can make a layup at this point,” Westbrook said. “I got to start there and work my way from there.”

The final player yet to arrive for the Rockets is recently signed forward Luc Mbah a Moute. According to D’Antoni, Mbah a Moute has been cleared to travel and could arrive in Orlando on Wednesday.

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