Rockets’ Luc Mbah a Moute had coronavirus: ‘Sick and down for like 10 days’

The Rockets signed Luc Mbah a Moute for the NBA’s resumption at Disney World.

One problem: He had coronavirus.

Mbah a Moute – along with Russell Westbrook and James Harden – didn’t travel with Houston to Orlando, though all three arrived later. Westbrook said he tested positive for coronavirus, and a report said Harden was feeling fine (though didn’t offer much more context).

Now, Mbah a Moute is detailing his bout with coronavirus.

Gatlin of Clutch City Control Room:

Luc Mbah a Moute confirming his delay was due to COVID.

"It was tough. I'm blessed to come out of it. I pray for those in this situation. By the grace of the Lord I got through it." #Rockets pic.twitter.com/y14sKXceFe

— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 27, 2020

Mbah a Moute:

I had the COVID. I was actually sick and down for like 10 days. And then recovery and all that stuff and then getting the testing.

I had a lot of symptoms. Obviously, it wasn’t too bad where I had to go to the hospital or anything like that. But obviously being down, fatigue, chills, cold, whatever. What else? Body ache, all that stuff. So, it was tough. But, like I said, it was another hurdle to climb. And obviously you feel for people who’ve had it, and it makes you realize how serious this is. So, I’m blessed to have come out of it, and I’m praying for those who are going through it. It’s a tough situation, tough position to be in.

It’s a serious illness when someone, listing symptoms, pauses to say “What else?” then continues. Thankfully, Mbah a Moute has recovered.

But this raises concern about how much Mbah a Moute will contribute to the Rockets. He hasn’t produced well in the NBA in more than two years, and he’s now 33. Add a training-time deficit and perhaps lingering effects from coronavirus, and it’s a lot to overcome.

At least the 3-and-D forward fits well into the Rockets’ system, as we saw in 2018. There’s still hope he can play effectively in limited minutes.