Houston Rockets star and former NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook has announced he's tested positive for the coronavirus.
Westbrook has revealed the news on social media. Last Thursday, he was not on the team plane when the Rockets travelled to Florida, where the NBA will resume play later this month at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Fellow guard James Harden and recent addition Luc Mbah a Moute also were not aboard the flight.
"I tested positive for COVID-19 prior to my teams departure to Orlando," Westbrook tweets. "I'm currently feeling well, quarantined and looking forward to rejoining my teammates when I am cleared.
"Thank you all for the well wishes and continued support. Please take this virus seriously.
"Be safe. Mask up! #whynot."
Westbrook, 31, averaged 27.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 53 games, before the season came to a halt on March 11, amid the pandemic.
The nine-time All-Star is playing his first season with the Rockets, after being acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City Thunder last summer. He played 11 seasons with the Thunder, highlighted by a 2016/17 campaign, when he earned NBA MVP honours with a career-best 31.6 points, along with 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists.
Coach Mike D'Antoni hopes Westbrook, Harden and Mbah a Moute will be able to arrive at the Disney 'bubble' within 3-4 days. The team declined to specify a reason for their absence.
The players will have to quarantine in their rooms until testing negative for COVID-19 for two days immediately after their arrival, before practicing with the Rockets.
ESPN has also reported Houston forward Bruno Caboclo says he "inadvertently" broke quarantine at the NBA's complex in Florida and was ordered to self-quarantine in his hotel room for another eight days, before resuming team activities.
The Rockets' first game in Florida is scheduled for August 1 (NZ time) against Dallas Mavericks.
