Basketball superstar James Harden has been slapped with a $50,000 fine for violating COVID-19 protocols. The Houston Rockets guard was fined on Wednesday after it was found out that he had attended a party days before.

Apart from the fine, Harden will also be barred from participating in his team’s scheduled season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This has led to the postponement of the match as the Rockets didn’t have the required number of players available.

Harden reportedly attended a private indoor party on Monday, which was a violation of the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols set for active players.

An investigation into Harden’s activities was launched after a video of him showed up on social media. In the video, Harden was seen attending a party inside a strip club without wearing a mask.

Harden said in a social media post that he was not in a strip club. He did admit that he had attended a private party hosted by a friend.

“Houston Rockets guard James Harden has been fined $50,000 for violating the league’s Health and Safety Protocols, which among other things prohibit attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people or entering bars, lounges, clubs or similar establishments,” NBA’s preside of league operations, Byron Spruell, said in a statement.