Russell Westbrook joins Rockets in NBA bubble

One week after Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook confirmed via social media that he tested positive for the coronavirus before his scheduled journey to the bubble site of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida, Houston coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters the one-time MVP has traveled to Orlando.

Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Westbrook provided the necessary negative coronavirus test results and will quarantine in his Florida hotel room. D'Antoni added that Westbrook probably won't participate in a Friday scrimmage ahead of Houston's July 31 showdown with the Dallas Mavericks:

"I do expect that once he clears everything that he'll be ready to go 5-on-5 and all that. I would think Friday might be a little early. That'll be up to the medical staff and Russell himself and see how he feels in the days before. Hopefully, he'll get in a couple of scrimmages and then be ready for us to play.

"Any time you miss a key piece like that, it makes it a little bit more difficult, but I know he'll be ready. So on one side, we're just anxious to get him. It'll give everybody a little pep in their step, but there was no doubt before. The energy has been great. These guys have been practicing hard, so it's just one step closer to being whole. We can get him in there and work on a couple of things and get ready."

Westbrook averaged 27.5 PPG, 8.0 REB, and 7.0 AST across his first 53 appearances for the Rockets before the NBA halted play due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 11.