The NBA is investigating Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams and what he did while away from the league’s Orlando, Fla. bubble on an excused absence, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Bobby Marks.
Reporting with @BobbyMarks42: The NBA is investigating what Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams did while on an excused absence from the Orlando campus, so it can assess the length of his re-quarantining process, multiple sources told ESPN on Saturday.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 25, 2020
Sources told ESPN that Williams has been interviewed by NBA security about his whereabouts while he was away from campus, and told them he did go to the Magic City gentleman’s club for a short time on Thursday night
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 25, 2020
However, as @ZachLowe_NBA recently noted, that re-quarantining time could be extended up to 10 days if the league's outside infectious disease specialists recommends it.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 25, 2020
Lou Williams tweeted a photo Friday of a man named, Paul G. Willams, with the caption "Long Live Pops,." Sources said Williams told NBA investigators that he attended a viewing for Williams which ended around 6 p.m. on Thursday, then went to Magic City to pick up dinner.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 25, 2020
A 10-day quarantine would see Lou Williams miss 2 seeding games and forfeit up to $150K in salary. A four-day quarantine would have Williams back on the court by the July 30 first game.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 25, 2020
Williams was seen partying with rapper Jack Harlow in an Atlanta strip club after leaving the NBA bubble.
The 33-year-old has reportedly admitted to NBA security that he was in fact at a strip club called Magic City in Atlanta.
Williams has been tested for coronavirus each day he has been away from the bubble.
The league has yet to determine exactly how many days Williams will have to quarantine upon his return, but players are subject to a minimum four-day quarantine after returning to the bubble from an excused absence.
So far this season, Williams has averaged 18.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
The Clippers are currently second in the Western Conference standings with a record of 44-20.
The Clippers’ first official game back during the restart will be on July 30 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
