Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers has left the Orlando “bubble” due to an urgent family matter, according to Shams Charania.
Rivers expects to return to the “bubble” sometime this weekend, Charania also notes.
Assuming Rivers will have to quarantine for the four days required for players leaving with an excused absence, he has a chance to be ready for the team’s first of eight “seeding games” on July 31.
The Rockets are not only the shortest team in the league with their small-ball lineups, but also short on rotation depth, so Rivers is an important piece.
Rivers is now the fourth known player to leave the “bubble” due to a family issue, along with Zion Williamson, Montrezl Harrell and Patrick Beverley.
The NBA recently updated protocols for player re-entry into the Orlando campus.
