As recently as Sunday, the Rockets believed that Westbrook and James Harden - neither of whom travelled with the team to Walt Disney World near Orlando last week - would be with the team in the next few days.

In Westbrook's case, that now seems most unlikely.

"I tested positive for covid-19 prior to my teams departure to Orlando," Westbrook wrote on his Instagram page.

"I'm currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining my teammates when I am cleared."

Westbrook is averaging 27.5 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per game for the Rockets this season.

Houston have clinched a play-off spot and resume their season with the first of eight seeding games on July 31 against Dallas Mavericks.

Westbrook also offered a word of caution in his post.

"Thank you for all the well wishes and continued support," he wrote.

"Please take this virus seriously. Be safe. Mask up!"

Westbrook's announcement came on another day where case numbers in Florida and Texas - two of the nation's coronavirus hotspots - keep rising to levels that have officials and residents deeply concerned.

"I'm praying for his safety and the same for his family," Phoenix guard Devin Booker said.

"Hopefully he can get healthy and get down here as soon as possible."

Inside the NBA bubble, optimism that the rules established by the league and the players will work - even though some Disney parks reopened to visitors over the weekend.

"I think our protocols and our health and safety measures have been top-notch. I think this thing will work perfectly," Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said.

However, at least two players inside the NBA bubble have already paid a steep price for violating quarantine upon their teams' respective arrivals last week.

Sacramento's Richaun Holmes revealed on Monday that he "briefly and accidentally" crossed the NBA campus line to pick up a food delivery.

Under the NBA's rules of the restart, he now has to spend 10 days in quarantine.

Also Monday, a person with knowledge of the situation said that Houston's Bruno Caboclo was also serving a 10-day quarantine for crossing the campus line.

Australian Associated Press