James Harden Fined $50,000 for Violating NBA COVID-19 Protocols

By Neil P. First Posted: Dec 26, 2020 07:02 AM EST

The National Basketball Association (NBA) on Wednesday announced the penalty and fine of Houston Rockets star James Harden after violating the league's COVID-19 protocol.

(Photo : Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Houston-Oklahoma game was recently suspended after three players of Rockets returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive, and four other players had been quarantined because of contract tracing.

James Harden was also not available for the game for violating health and safety protocols after attending a crowded party in a private event space without a mask Monday night.

James Harden To Face a Fine

The NBA is one of the sports league's in the country with the most stringent rules and guidelines to avoid the outbreak of the infectious and deadly COVID-19.

However, several players had already tested positive for the virus amid the pandemic and forced them into a hiatus for months. Despite the NBA's warnings that teams and players who violate the guidelines will face severe consequences, some players still break it.

Recently, the Houston Rockets star player was alleged to attend a party in a strip club, which he denied. A video of him circulated on social media via Black Sports Online was said to be filmed at a Christmas Party in Houston.

The footage showed James Harden not wearing a mask with more than 15 persons attending the party, which the league prohibits this season.

According to a published article of the Daily News, the NBA has banned all players from going to bars, lounges, or clubs and participating in any social gatherings of more than 15 people.

This is to make sure that COVID-19 will not spread among players that will result in a hiatus again since the game format is no longer the same, just like the previous season.

On Wednesday, the NBA announced that James Harden would face a fine of $50,000 after he violated the league's protocol. Meanwhile, it is unclear if the whole Houston Rockets team will also be penalized.

James Harden Gave an Explanation

After the video went viral online, Harden denied the allegation that the video was taken at a strip club.

In his social media account, he wrote: "One thing after another. I went to show love to my homegirl at her event (not a strip club) because she is becoming a boss and putting her people in position of success and now it's a problem."

He noted that "everyday (sic) it's something different" and "no matter how many times people try to drag my name under you can't." He added that "the real always end on top."

However, the fact that Harden appeared in an indoor party attended by more than 15 persons is already a violation of the league's COVID-19 protocol.

Following this incident, a reliable source told ESPN that Harden took the COVID-19 test on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Luckily, the Houston Rockets star player tested negative for the virus.