Report: Gordon's status in question after Rockets staffer tests positive

A new positive test among the Houston Rockets' staff has set off a new round of contact tracing within the organization, raising concerns about the availability of shooting guard Eric Gordon, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The latest development follows Wednesday's episode, which saw the Rockets' scheduled game against the Oklahoma City Thunder postponed due to the team's inability to field the minimum of eight healthy players.

All-Stars James Harden, John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins are among those already facing quarantines of various lengths.

For Harden, his league-imposed four-day quarantine is the result of an NBA investigation that confirmed he broke current league health protocols by attending a social gathering at a club on Dec. 21. The 31-year-old is reportedly expected to be available for Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers if he continues to test negative.

Wall, Cousins, and rookie KJ Martin - the son of former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin - reportedly broke safety rules after receiving haircuts at an apartment building away from the Rockets' facilities.

While Wall and Cousins have reportedly tested negative, Martin's positive result means the two veterans are facing a seven-day quarantine as part of the league's contact-tracing measures, per Charania. Martin later produced a negative result in a subsequent test.

Both Martin and wing Ben McLemore were listed as "Out, Not With Team - Self Isolating" on the Rockets' recent injury report, which came out on Wednesday. Cousins was also listed as questionable due to a right ankle sprain.

Cousins, who missed the entire 2019-20 season after tearing his ACL, appeared to respond to the latest development with displeasure: