HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 14: Danuel House Jr. #4 of the Houston Rockets reacts in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Toyota Center on December 14, 2019 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Danuel House banned from playoffs, removed from NBA bubble.
The investigation into Danuel House and his alleged NBA bubble violation has officially concluded and the allegations he had an unauthorized woman in his room have been proven correct and his punishment has been handed down. According to an official press release from the NBA, House has a woman in his room for “multiple hours.” This violates the bubble atmosphere and House has been barred from participating in any games left for this season and has left the bubble.
“House had a guest in his hotel room over multiple hours on Sept. 8 who was not authorized to be on campus,” the statement reads.
The Houston Rockets forward aren’t expected to last much longer, but that doesn’t negate the seriousness of the protocol violation.
It seems this breach came as a shock to the league and the team, but it was immediately taken seriously.
“The NBA is treating [House] as guilty until proven innocent for safety reasons,” said one person with knowledge of the situation (h/t Washington Post). “They’re prioritizing their perception of safety over everything else. The NBPA feels its hands are tied. Any time [the union] talks about due process or presumption of guilt, [the NBA] immediately says, ‘Safety, safety, safety.’ There has to be some limit or balance.”
House will not take part in the final games of the season. The Rockets lost to the Lakers on Thursday.