Buddy Hield is back.
The Kings’ 3-point marksman has joined the team in the Orlando bubble, and even a bout with the coronavirus hasn’t taken away his sense of humor.
“I’ve been trying to find ways to get out, something like 'El Chapo' with a tunnel under the hotel so I can sneak my a-- out of here,” Hield said Tuesday on a video call with reporters.
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Hield said he had minor symptoms early on, but nothing severe. More than anything else, he was worried about the people around him.
“I wasn’t scared or nothing like that,” Hield said. “I tested positive and I was just concerned for the people around me like my daughter and my girl and my family.”
“I didn’t want nobody getting infected by it,” Hield added. “I didn’t want my carelessness causing someone to lose their life or something like that. So, I was warning people I was around.”
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According to Hield, he does not believe that he picked up COVID-19 playing in an exhibition game in Oklahoma in the Skinz League on June 11 because he is the only one to test positive from the game. Either way, he put himself at risk by entering a gym packed with fans, most of whom weren't wearing masks or face coverings.
“I wouldn’t do nothing differently,” Hield said. “I’ve just got to be more careful with where I’ve been. Know my surroundings better.”
Coach Luke Walton confirmed that both Hield and Jabari Parker were back at practice on Tuesday after clearing NBA protocol. They didn’t participate in the contact portion of the festivities, but Walton said it was nice to have them back in the fold.
“It was great having those guys back, good energy with them, they’re excited to be on the court around the guys again,” Walton said.
[RELATED: Harrison Barnes has coronavirus, fourth Kings player to test positive]
If the Kings have a chance to make the play-in series for the No. 8 seed, they need to be as healthy as possible. Getting Hield back, the team’s second-leading scorer, is huge.
Here's hoping Hield has studied up on "El Chapo" enough to know that the drug kingpin always gets caught, even after escaping the tunnel on a motorcycle. What happens in the bubble, stays in the bubble. Or maybe, what happens in the bubble better be in the bubble.