HOUSTON — The Knicks now have four players in COVID-19 protocols — and two broadcasters. 

Knicks forward Kevin Knox joined the group Thursday morning as they prepared to face the Rockets at Toyota Center. In addition, MSG Network’s sideline reporter Rebecca Haarlow tested positive, joining legend Walt Frazier on the COVID-19 protocol list as the Knicks’ outbreak continues. 

Obi Toppin, RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes had already tested positive for COVID-19. Knox had been dusted off the bench as a key contributor the past two games, averaging 14 points. Now he’s out, too, meaning the Knicks’ last four first-round picks — three of them lottery selections — are all sidelined due to COVID. 

The virus had also knocked the 22-year-old vaccinated Knox out of summer league in August. 

The Knicks’ COVID-19 outbreak occurred after they returned from Toronto last weekend. All six individuals were in Toronto. 

The Knicks did not hold their usual morning shootaround at Houston’s Toyota Center on Thursday out of precaution, per NBA guidelines. 

The Knicks may also not be permitted by the league to practice in Boston on Friday. They face the Celtics on Saturday. 

According to an NBA source, the testing procedure complicates the practice sessions. Teams with multiple cases have to take and return PCR tests before they can gather as a team without wearing masks. 

Hence, the delayed timing of taking and returning those tests means that morning shootarounds are put in jeopardy — as what happened in Houston and could also happen in Boston. 

“It’s the NBA now,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game Thursday night. “You adapt. That’s what it’s all about. How quickly you adapt. Sometimes it’s injuries. Sometimes it’s COVID. We’ve been dealing with it for a while now. It’s our reality. Whatever our circumstances are, find a way to rise above it.” 

The outbreak has occurred while the Knicks were reeling after the Kemba Walker demotion — 1-7 in their last eight games. 

Instead of the normal shootaround, the Knicks staged a socially distanced walk-through/film session at their Houston hotel. 

“The league does a really good job and our medical staff does a great job of making sure we’re following all the guidelines and recommending what we do,” Thibodeau said. “The medical people are involved with it so safety comes first. The thing for us is whether we’re doing a shootaround at the arena or doing a walk-through in the ballroom or watching film with restrictions, whatever it is, you have to be good at all those things. That’s part of all this. Whatever the guidelines are, we’re going to follow them and get ready to the best of our abilities.”

The league is experiencing a major COVID-19 uptick, with some league insiders wondering if the season might have to go on pause. 

Knox’s removal could finally sway Thibodeau to play Walker, who has not played in any of the past eight games. 

However, Knox has been playing more power forward to fill in for Toppin. Thibodeau could put Taj Gibson into the rotation. Thibodeau said before the game Gibson was an option but added: “All hands are on deck.”

The Knicks also didn’t have the services of rookie center Jericho Sims on Thursday, who was with the G-League team. 

Asked if the players could leave the hotel, Thibodeau said, “You can. We’re talking to the players and they’re well aware about taking every precaution, being extra careful right now. 

“I think everyone anticipated with Thanksgiving and now Christmas coming that there’s a lot of travel, a lot of moving around. Just be aware of what’s going on in the country and in the world for that matter. So take every precaution.’’ 

The Rockets (9-19) were on a back-to-back as they got shellacked in Cleveland on Wednesday night when their coach Stephen Silas left the game early. The team said he was dehydrated but was back Thursday. 

“Last time we played them they were like 1-15 and they ran off seven straight,’’ Thibodeau said. “That’s an example of how quickly things can turn in this league. So they’re playing good basketball. They had a tough game last night, they had guys out. So they may be back tonight and we have to be ready for that. They’re playing good basketball. They’re shooting the ball well, sharing the ball. They play hard, real hard.’’ 

Grimes missed the Warriors loss on Tuesday and will not be here for his homecoming after leading the University of Houston to the Final Four last season. 

The four Knicks in protocol need two negative tests 24 hours apart to be cleared to return.