The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard has arrived in the NBA’s restart bubble in Orlando. The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic is not far behind him.
They are two of the biggest name players who were delayed arriving in Orlando, but for them the delays were short.
“Kawhi, he is here, he is going through the protocol,” Clippers’ coach Doc Rivers said Saturday, adding the two-time Finals MVP arrived Friday night and is in the midst of the two-day/two-test quarantine all players and staff went through. If things go smoothly, he should be practicing with the team by Monday. Leonard’s arrival was delayed for “personal reasons” (and Leonard doesn’t open up much about his personal life).
Jokic tested positive for the coronavirus back in his native Serbia, which delayed his arrival stateside (where there were more tests and quarantine time). Nuggets coach Mike Malone said Jokic should arrive soon.
Latest from Nuggets coach Michael Malone, re: "Jokic Watch"
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) July 12, 2020
“No new arrivals today, but the midnight hour has not struck yet. I’m expecting a big surprise from Europe to arrive fairly shortly. … We are awaiting positive news back in Denver.”
That leaves the two Houston stars — James Harden and Russell Westbrook — as the biggest names not yet in Orlando. Both are expected to arrive in the coming days. The Rockets have resumed practice without him.
