NBA's Adam Silver Discusses James Harden's $50K Fine for COVID-19 Violation

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday there were multiple factors that went into his decision to levy a $50,000 fine on Houston Rockets superstar James Harden for a violation of the league's COVID-19 protocol. Harden was seen at a club in Houston without a mask or social distancing.

"The $50,000 is the limit to my authority," Silver said on ESPN's The Jump. "In a way, he got lucky. If the game had happened, it would have turned out to be a much longer pay."

Harden was deemed ineligible for Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the Rockets lacked the number of necessary players because of coronavirus contact tracing. Since that contest was postponed, the eight-time All-Star didn't lose his game check, which would have been a more severe punishment.

"The precedent is that discipline gets ratcheted up," Silver said. "It's Christmas. It was a first offense."

Harden previously missed the start of Rockets training camp and their first two preseason games while waiting to satisfy COVID-19 testing guidelines.

TMZ Sports reported he attended a birthday party in Atlanta for rapper Lil Baby and then spent a night in Las Vegas before showing up to Houston late earlier this month.

The 31-year-old Los Angeles native denied speculation this week that he went to a strip club but confirmed he did attend a party for a friend, which still represented a violation of the NBA's rules:

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that Harden must remain isolated from his teammates until at least Friday, but he could be available for Saturday's new season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers if he continues to return negative COVID-19 test results.

The 2017-18 NBA MVP, who's been the focus of trade rumors for most of the offseason, was the league's scoring champion for the third straight year during the 2019-20 campaign.

With no deal in place, he's set to open the new season with the Rockets alongside new star teammate John Wall, who was acquired from the Washington Wizards as part of the Russell Westbrook trade.

If Harden isn't cleared by Saturday, his next chance to play would come Monday night against the Denver Nuggets.