NBA postpones Rockets-Thunder game due to HOU's depleted team

Tonight's game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder game has been postponed, the NBA announced.

The Rockets needed eight players to dress in order to play this game, but they didn't have enough after positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, "James Harden is unavailable due to a violation of the health and safety Protocols, NBA says. Three Rockets have returned positive or inconclusive coronavirus tests. Four others are quarantined due to contact tracing."

It remains to be seen when this game will be played, but it's certainly concerning that the NBA is already running into these issues and having to postpone games on just the second night of the 2020-21 regular season.

It's possible that Harden will be punished for his violation of the safety protocols. The NBA is reviewing video that showed Harden at a club without a mask, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.