James Harden Sends Cryptic Emoji After Missed Practice, Possible Night at Strip Club

Sunday's chain of events occurred amid ongoing trade speculation surrounding the Rockets superstar, who reportedly wants out of Houston.

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Image via Getty/Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE

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The Houston Rockets might not be willing to part ways with James Harden just yet, but it's hard not to question his commitment to the team after Sunday. 

Harden missed Houston's practice Sunday, which according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, was due to COVID-19 protocols.

Stephen Silas: James Harden did not take participate in today's practice. Cannot practice with team due to COVID-19 protocols. The Rockets expect him to be in for an indvidual workout this evening.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 6, 2020

While the team didn't say how he broke the league's strict protocols, video emerged over the weekend seemingly showing Harden at a strip club.

Looks like James Harden was at the strip club last night

(IG: ced_1m | h/t @alec_sturm )

pic.twitter.com/rhtDwuxxE4

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) December 6, 2020

Apparently James Harden was still in Las Vegas as of three hours ago. pic.twitter.com/ca56DQD1uM

— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 7, 2020

Harden has been a man about town recently, having also been spotted at Lil Baby's birthday party, where he gifted the rapper with $100,000 cash and a $200,000 Richard Mille watch. 

James Harden gifts Lil Baby with a Prada bag, $100,000 cash & a $200,000 Richard Mille watch for his 26th birthday pic.twitter.com/juHJjm0sCZ

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) December 4, 2020

When asked why Harden wasn't at the team's Sunday practice, head coach Stephen Silas had this to say:

Silas says that NBA coronavirus protocol prevented Harden from joining the team's first group practice ...

"I want him here and I want him to be a big part of what we're doing," Silas said

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 6, 2020

Silas was also asked about Harden's commitment to the team. "That's a question you're going to have to ask him when he gets here," he said of Harden, who's expected to participate in an individual workout on Sunday night. 

Stephen Silas on James Harden's commitment to the Rockets: "That's a question you're going to have to ask him when he gets here."

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 6, 2020

Meanwhile, Harden seemingly responded to the flood of news by posting a rather cryptic emoji to his Instagram story. 

pic.twitter.com/prKca2Xjgx

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 6, 2020

Harden's mom also replied to a fan about her son's career, pointing out that he wants to get a championship ring at some point.

Monja Willis, James Harden's mother, speaks out on Instagram:

"He is doing the best for his career...He [is] ask[ing] for a chance to get a ring [and] that's it." pic.twitter.com/CrMvAZ9mE6

— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) December 7, 2020

Sunday's chain of events came amid ongoing trade speculation surrounding Harden, who reportedly wants out of Houston.

Stephen Silas says James Harden is still not with the team. “There is no timetable and it is a setback.”

— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 7, 2020

Could this be the straw that finally breaks the camel's back? We'll probably find out soon enough. 

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