James Harden Fined $50K For Violating NBA’s COVID-19 Protocols By Attending a Party, He Responds: Every Day It’s Something Different

James Harden Fined $50K For Violating NBA’s COVID-19 Protocols By Attending a Party, He Responds: Every Day It’s Something Different

NBA star James Harden, who plays for the Houston Rockets just got a hefty $50,000 fine from the league after video footage was seen of him socializing without a mask at a club earlier in the week.

James Harden receiving Christmas gifts in the club in Houston pic.twitter.com/FljAYuWLeh

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The league says that Harden violated rules by attending a “private indoor party” on Monday (Dec. 21.)  Multiple sources say that James Harden attended the event, but he entered through a separate entrance, and he sat in a separate part of the club with his security who was wearing a mask. He was reportedly only at the seated dinner for 30 minutes, showing love to a friend celebrating a promotion.

After the video reached the higher ups at the NBA, James Harden was listed as “unavailable” for Wednesday’s game, for violating NBA COVID-19 guidelines.  With James Harden missing from the lineup, Wednesday’s game had to be postponed against the Oklahoma City Thunder because the Rockets would not have the league-required 8 “available”players.

The NBA recently announced that due to COVID-19, players were restricted from going to bars, lounges or clubs, and also could not participate in social gatherings that had more than 15 people.

James Harden issued a statement on Instagram Wednesday, denying reports he went to a strip club.

“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.  Everyday it’s something different. No matter how many times people try to drag my name under you can’t. The real always end on top.”

James Harden will not be suspended, but when a player misses a game after violating COVID-19 rules, the player will lose a portion of their salary, which totals $572,985 per game missed for Harden.

The Houston Rockets and James Harden are waiting to see how long of a quarantine period will be required before he can return to the team.