James Harden fined by NBA for violating health and safety protocols

On Wednesday, the NBA announced that James Harden is “unavailable” after violating the league’s health and safety guidelines amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has been fined $50,000 after a video began circulating on social media, showing Harden attending an indoor party without a mask. This lead to a league investigation.

The 31-year-old has been declared “unavailable” for the Rockets’ opening game against Oklahoma City Thunder that was scheduled for Wednesday evening. On Wednesday, the NBA said in its announcement that the game would be postponed because the Rockets did not have enough eligible players. Three players had Covid-19 test results that were “either positive or inconclusive,” and four others who are placed in quarantine via contract tracing. With Harden as well as those players out and another player on the bench for to an injury, the Rockets did not have enough players available on Wednesday to play against the Thunder.

Presently, it is still unclear when Harden will be cleared to suit up. The Rockets are waiting to hear from the NBA on how long he will have to quarantine. According to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt, Harden will lose $573,000 per game for any contests he ends up missing.

In the last couple of months, Harden has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. During the pandemic, while the Rockets were beginning training camp in Houston, he was apparently attending parties in Las Vegas and Atlanta.

The NBA has put various health and safety guidelines in place because of the coronavirus pandemic, which prohibits players and team personnel from going to any bars, clubs or restaurants. If team members fail to comply with these protocols, there is a possibility of them being fined or even suspended.