Rockets lose Kevin Porter Jr. to health and safety protocols absence

Early Wednesday afternoon, reports emerged that second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. was with Sterling Brown at the Miami strip club where Brown was assaulted on Monday morning. In apparent confirmation of that news, Porter was quickly added to Houston’s injury report as out, with the team citing health and safety protocols as the reason.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the NBA has strict limitations in place on what players can do this season when away from the court. For example, when former teammate James Harden was shown on video at a club in December, the league ruled that he had to test negative for COVID-19 for several days before he could rejoin team activities. He was also fined $50,000 for the violation of health protocols.

It is not yet clear if any other players will be joining Porter with a protocol-related absence, since Brown is already out due to ongoing left knee soreness. With Porter sidelined, Avery Bradley is likely to take his place in Houston’s starting backcourt alongside John Wall.

Head coach Stephen Silas will further update the situation in comments prior to Wednesday night’s home game versus Utah.

Now 20 years old, Porter is averaging 15.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.8 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game with the Rockets.

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