Zion Williamson getting tested, but return to bubble unknown

FILE – In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson grabs a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in New Orleans. The marketing agent who has sued NBA rookie Williamson wants the former Duke star to answer questions about whether he received improper benefits before playing his lone season with the Blue Devils. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, File)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.  — Zion Williamson could still make re-opening night of the NBA season.

The New Orleans Pelicans said Wednesday that Williamson, who left the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World last week, is being tested daily for the coronavirus and continues showing negative results.

If that continues, Williamson may have to quarantine for only four days when he returns to the team.

And if that return comes in the next few days, that means he could still have a shot of playing when New Orleans faces Utah on July 30 in the first of the 88 seeding games at Disney.

“While there is no current timetable for his return to campus, he fully intends to rejoin the team,” the Pelicans said in a statement. “Per NBA protocol, his quarantine period will be determined upon his return.”

The minimum quarantine Williamson would have to serve for leaving, even though he was officially excused, is the four-day option.

The rookie left the team to tend to “an urgent family matter,” the Pelicans said.

The former Duke star has played in 19 games this season, averaging 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He also missed the actual opening night of the season, when New Orleans played the first game of this 2019-20 campaign in Toronto against the reigning NBA champion Raptors.

WESTBROOK PRACTICES

Houston guard Russell Westbrook, whose arrival in Florida was delayed after he tested positive for the coronavirus, arrived on Monday and got on the practice floor with his team for the first time Wednesday.

It’s unclear if he will play in Houston’s first scrimmage at Disney on Friday. But he had a message to fans about how seriously they should take the coronavirus.

“I’m not a doctor nor a specialist, but I do know that it’s definitely something to take very seriously,” Westbrook said. “Wearing a mask can be between life or death, honestly. … People are dying from this virus each and every day, and it’s something that we all need to take very, very seriously.”

Westbrook said the worst of his symptoms was nasal congestion. Still, he said he’s urged his friends and family to be vigilant.

SCRIMMAGES BEGIN

The NBA decided to go with standard three-person referee crews for Wednesday’s first scrimmages, after considering whether to rotate different crews of officials during matchups.

The 45 refs at Disney are all down to work at least two scrimmages, and some will do three games before the season resumes for real on July 30.

As expected, there were some new twists.

Ballboys were setting up chairs for teams during timeouts because ones in the bench area must not be moved, and every player had an orange Gatorade cart just for him marked at his assigned seat.

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