Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, Clippers center Montrezl Harrell and Clippers guard Patrick Beverley have all left the bubble for personal emergencies.
Now, Rockets guard Austin Rivers is also departing Disney World.
Shams Charania of The Athletic:
Rockets guard Austin Rivers has left the Orlando bubble due to an urgent family matter, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 24, 2020
Hopefully, everything is alright with Rivers and his family.
This raises the question: Will Clippers coach Doc Rivers, Austin’s father, also leave the bubble? However, Austin and Doc have lived fairly separate lives. Austin leaving doesn’t necessarily mean Doc will.
Austin is a key backup for Houston. The Rockets still have a lot of guards – James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Danuel House, Ben McLemore. But the Rockets also use a lot of guards.
If he returns, Austin must quarantine in his hotel room. The length of his quarantine will depend on whether the NBA excused his absence in advance, whether he’s tested daily for coronavirus while away and, of course, whether he tests negative or positive.