James Harden exits NBA's COVID-19 protocols: Will Nets star play on Christmas Day?

Benyam Kidane

James Harden exits NBA's COVID-19 protocols: Will Nets star play on Christmas Day? image

With COVID-19 cases rising throughout the NBA, the Nets have been one of the most affected teams with multiple payers entering the league's health and safety protocols.

As reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, James Harden entered the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols less than two hours before tip-off against the Raptors on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Harden has played in 26 of the Nets' 30 games this season, posting averages of 20.8 points, 9,6 assists and 7.9 rebounds.

MORE: Updated team-by-team list of players in health and safety protocols

Why did James Harden enter the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols?

As Sporting News' Gilbert McGregor recently detailed, any vaccinated NBA player is placed in the health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 or receiving an inconclusive COVID-19 test result.

In addition to receiving a positive or inconclusive test result, an unvaccinated player is also placed in the league's health and safety protocols if they have been deemed to have been exposed to a person who is positive for COVID-19.

MORE: NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, explained

How long will James Harden be out?

If any player tests positive for COVID-19, they must spend a minimum of 10 days away from their team unless they return two negative PCR tests within a 24-hour span.

Unvaccinated players who are flagged for contact tracing must quarantine for seven days and can return to action should they continue to return negative tests. In most cases, vaccinated players who are flagged for contact tracing will not be required to quarantine, but need seven days of more frequent testing.

In addition to receiving clearance from the league, individual teams can implement a return-to-play program to ensure a player is prepared for the cardiovascular demands of getting back on the floor.

Over the last few weeks, multiple players have tested out of the league's health and safety protocols to return to their team in less than 10 days.

Will James Harden play on Christmas?

 

It's still unknown, but Nets head coach Steve Nash said that Harden is out of COVID protocols as of Dec. 23.

 

Nets upcoming schedule

Date Opponent Time (ET) Broadcast
Tue, Dec. 21 vs. WAS (postponed)    
Thu, Dec. 23 at POR 10:00 p.m.  
Sat, Dec. 25  at LAL 8:00 p.m. ABC
Mon, Dec. 27 at LAC 10:30 p.m. NBA TV
Thu, Dec. 30 vs. PHI 7:00 p.m. NBA TV
Sat, Jan. 1 vs. Clippers 7:30 p.m.  
Mon, Jan. 3 vs. MEM 7:30 p.m. NBA TV

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.