Rockets Training Camp Tracker: Austin Rivers leaves bubble for personal reasons

The NBA is inching closer to a return at the end of July. The 22 teams participating in the restart of the 2019-20 season have made their way to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Training Camps for each team will run from July 9 through July 29 with scrimmages right up to the season reopening on July 30. With the Houston Rockets beginning training camp, we’ll be tracking all the latest news and injuries here.

Houston Rockets Training Camp news updates

July 24 — Rivers leaves bubble due to family matter

Rockets G Austin Rivers has left the bubble to attend to an urgent family matter, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported early Friday morning.

July 20 — Russ on his way to bubble in Orlando

Per Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, PG Russell Westbrook is on his way to the NBA bubble in Orlando after testing positive for Covid-19 last week. He is expected to join the team for practices before scrimmages start on Wednesday. The Rockets play their first game on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Toronto Raptors.

July 16 — James Harden checks in for practice

There was some speculation that Harden’s delayed trip to the bubble was caused by a positive Covid-19 test after Russell Westbrook contracted the virus ahead of his planned flight to the bubble, but that’s not the case. Harden was feeling fine earlier this week, according to a report from Stadium’s Shams Charania, and Houston announced that he reported to practice in Orlando Thursday. Getting the NBA’s leading scorer back should help reestablish team chemistry while Westbrook is in quarantine clearing the virus.

July 13 — Russell Westbrook tests positive for Covid-19

Westbrook announced Monday that he’s tested positive for Covid-19. The Rockets guard hasn’t joined his team in Orlando yet, but plans to once he’s clear of the virus. Westbrook could significantly impact Houston’s odds and the NBA as a whole ahead of the the season’s restart.

July 13 — Bruno Caboclo breaks quarantine

Caboclo unintentionally broke protocol this week, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. The power forward left his room during the initial quarantine period that begins following arrival and will have to remain isolated for eight more days. He’ll still be able to play when the season resumes, but will have to undergo more invasive Covid-19 testing before he’s cleared to return to his team.

July 9 — Harden, Westbrook did not travel with team to bubble

All-Stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook opted not to travel with the team to Orlando for the start of training camp. Instead, they will arrive at a later date, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

July 7 — Rockets bring back Luc Mbah a Moute

The Rockets had to replace Thabo Sefolosha, who opted out of the NBA return in Orlando. So Mbah a Moute will replace Thabo in the rotation for the Rockets. This isn’t really a big move, but notable for depth.

Houston Rockets opening futures odds

Championship Odds: +1200
Conference Winner: +700

Houston Rockets bubble win total

Over 4.5 +105
Under 4.5 -137

Notable NBA Finals Matchups odds

Rockets vs. Bucks: +1100
Rockets vs. Celtics: +6000
Rockets vs. Raptors: +6000

Houston Rockets Injuries

N/A

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