Houston Rockets stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook were among a small group of players and team employees who did not travel on the team’s flight to Orlando, Florida on Thursday, sources told ESPN.
Each group member is expected to join the team later in Walt Disney World after traveling alone.
Coach Mike D’Antoni He was on the team’s flight, although he has not yet received official notice from the NBA that he has been cleared to train for the remainder of the season, sources said. D’Antoni, 69, said earlier this week that his medical examinations did not reveal any problems that would be considered a red flag.
The League office informed the National Association of Basketball Coaches that no one would be placed in the high-risk category, which means that they would not be allowed to train in the bubble, just because of age.
The Rockets’ hopes of making a deep playoff career rest primarily with Harden and Westbrook, two MVP recent.
Harden has averaged 34.4 points, 6.4 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game in the league this season. Westbrook has averaged 27.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists.
The Athletic first reported that Westbrook and Harden were not on the team flight.
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