With PJ Tucker in the middle of his worst statistical season in Houston, the Rockets are opting to use their veteran forward off the bench for the first time in more than three calendar years.
Houston started Eric Gordon, Victor Oladipo, Sterling Brown, Jae’Sean Tate, and Justin Patton in Thursday’s game at Sacramento, with Tucker available off the bench. It marks the first time since Feb. 6, 2018, that the 6-foot-5 forward has played from a reserve role. Overall, Tucker had started the last 216 regular-season games in which he’s played.
Tucker is averaging 4.4 points (36.6% FG, 31.4% on 3-pointers), 4.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 30.0 minutes per game this season. All of those statistics are the lowest of his four seasons in Houston. Tucker is still valued immensely for his defense and leadership, but boosting one of the league’s worst offenses appears to be a clear priority for Houston.
The Rockets (11-23) entered Thursday on a 13-game losing streak, which is the longest by the franchise in more than 20 years. Thus, the team is looking to find a spark however it can, including lineup changes.
Now 35 years old, Tucker is in the final year of his existing contract, and he’s believed to be a strong candidate to be traded before the NBA’s March 25 deadline. Head coach Stephen Silas will offer further insight postgame regarding why the Rockets came to this decision.
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PJ Tucker is NOT in the starting lineup tonight for the Rockets as they begin the 2nd half of their season in Sacramento.
This is the 1st time that PJ has been available for the Rockets and not in the starting lineup since 2/6/18 at Brooklyn.
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) March 12, 2021
#Rockets starters vs Kings tonight: Brown, Tate, Patton, Oladipo, Gordon. P.J. Tucker available off the bench. The last game Tucker came off the bench was 2/6/18. He had started the last 216 games he's played in for Houston.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) March 12, 2021