Jordan Poole Speaks on Quarantine Experience

Earlier this week, Warriors breakout guard Jordan Poole was released from the NBA’s health and safety protocols after returning the required negative tests and clearing the quarantine order. Poole, who was quarantined in Boston during his time in the protocols, recently was able to return to practice with the team.

Poole was not listed on the injury report ahead of the postponed game a few days ago against the Denver Nuggets and was expected to play, but the postponement instead meant he got some extra practice in with the team.

The biggest concern about Poole going through quarantine was of course his well-being and we’re glad he’s doing better now, but there were also questions about his conditioning. Poole spoke to media members on how his conditioning was affected:

“You don’t do anything for a week and some days. It’s hard to stay in tip-top shape, but the equipment and strength staff left me some stuff… A jump rope, some resistance bands” Poole explained per SF Chronicle’s Connor Letourneau.

He jokingly said that the staff also left him a whole stationary bike in his hotel room, which they did not actually leave, but honestly if anyone could find a way, it would be the Warriors staff.

Poole has been massively important to the team’s success as they’ve been shorthanded this season by injuries. He was the first player to be entered into the protocols and a slew of others followed, but now that Poole has returned, it feels like the Warriors at least have some semblance of their full strength despite losing Draymond Green.

Jordan also talked about his experience in quarantine:

“Lotta rest. Lot of alone time. Not anything too crazy” Poole said, keeping his answer characteristically short.

Poole will be available for tonight’s game against the Jazz, an important matchup against another Western Conference heavyweight. His rim pressure will be important to keep Jazz center Rudy Gobert on his toes, and his scoring ability should divert attention from the rest of the Jazz’s lineup so that their switch-heavy scheme does not zone in solely on Steph Curry.

There is a question of whether Poole will see minutes reduction for this game because he just recently exited quarantine, but there has been no actual indication from Steve Kerr or the rest of the staff on whether or not that is the case.

(Photo credit: Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images)