The Houston Rockets will be without one starter in Tuesday’s Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against Oklahoma City, with All-Star guard Russell Westbrook (right quad strain) already ruled out.
Fortunately for the Rockets, it appears that will be the only player on their active injury report entering the series.
Frontcourt starters Danuel House Jr. (left toe sprain) and P.J. Tucker (hand) each had injury scares in the final week of the regular season, with House sitting out each of the three final games and Tucker leaving the penultimate game early. But head coach Mike D’Antoni indicated Sunday that both appear to be good to go for the playoffs.
“I just asked him, and he said he’s doing well,” D’Antoni said of House prior to Sunday’s team practice. “I think he’s going to practice today, so I’m thinking for sure he’s going to go Tuesday. Again, he’s got to get through a couple practices, but it looks like he’s OK.”
D'Antoni on P.J. Tucker (hand): "Not enough to slow him down. He's fine." #Rockets #OneMission
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) August 16, 2020
It’s unclear when House first suffered the injury, but he shot just 2-of-14 (14.3%) on 3-pointers in his most recent two games. By contrast, in House’s first three games at the NBA’s Disney World “bubble,” House made 18-of-37 (48.6%) on his attempts from 3-point range.
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For the 2019-20 season, House is averaging 10.5 points (36.3% on 3-pointers) and 4.2 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per game. He’s started 52 of 63 games, and at 6-foot-6, House is one of the most athletic, long, and defensively versatile options for Houston’s small-ball scheme.
Meanwhile, Tucker is regarded as one of the most important defenders and leaders on the Rockets. Known for his toughness, the 6-foot-5 veteran averaged 6.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game, and he has yet to miss a single regular season or postseason game since signing with the Rockets in July 2017. Dating back to 2012-13, Tucker has played in the most NBA games of any active player.
D’Antoni indicated in recent days that Tucker’s hand issue had bothered him off-and-on for an extended portion of the 2019-20 regular season, but was never serious enough for him to miss a game.
“I think he’s fine,” D’Antoni said Sunday of Tucker’s status. “I haven’t heard anything at all. I’m sure it bothers him a little bit, but not enough to hurt him or to slow him down. He’s fine.”
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Against the Thunder, Tucker will likely draw the initial defensive assignment of rugged center Steven Adams. But in Houston’s switch-heavy defense, he’s likely to guard numerous players during the series.
Eric Gordon will take Westbrook’s place in the backcourt next to All-Star guard and MVP finalist James Harden, while House and Tucker will start in the frontcourt next to Robert Covington.
Game 1 between the Rockets and Thunder tips off at 5:30 p.m. Central on Tuesday evening, with a national broadcast on TNT and a regional version (with Houston announcers) on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
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