Los Angeles (AFP)

Houston Rockets superstar James Harden, at the center of transfer rumors, witnessed his team's victory over Chicago (125-104) on Friday in the NBA preseason game, after ending his training strike on Monday.

Present on the bench, however, Harden was not on the scoresheet against the Chicago Bulls because, since returning to training camp, he has to present six consecutive negative Covid-19 tests before the league will allow him to. train or play with the team.

The 31-year-old rear point guard had dried up the resumption of training camp in order to force his departure from a franchise with which he is under contract until 2023, according to US media.

He was then displayed in nightclubs in Las Vegas and at a private party in Atlanta, in defiance of the rules of physical distancing and without a mask.

The Beard would have asked to join one of the East Conference teams candidates for the title, namely Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Miami and Milwaukee.

His future with the Rockets has become uncertain with the resignation of coach Mike D'Antoni in the wake of their elimination in the second round of the play-offs by the Lakers of LeBron James (4 wins to 1).

Especially since his friend Russell Westbrook was transferred to Washington in exchange for point guard John Wall and a first round of draft.

New coach Stephen Silas, however, wants to believe that he will be able to count on the All Star point guard for the season which begins on December 22.

"I have no doubts that he will be there when we start (the season)," he said.

Harden, an outstanding striker but average defenseman, finished the last three NBA regular seasons with the title of top scorer.

Besides the victory of Houston, the first day of the preseason was marked by the success of the Lakers, without LeBron James nor Anthony Davis, over the Clippers (87-81) in the Los Angeles derby, with the premiere of Nicolas Batum in its new colors.

Orlando, with Evan Fournier (13 points), dominated Atlanta (116-112).

In the Franco-French duel, Frank Ntilikina and the New York Knicks beat (90-84) the Detroit Pistons of debutant Killian Hayes (5 points) who was playing his first official NBA game.

© 2020 AFP