All-Star guard James Harden and veteran forward PJ Tucker are both expected to practice with the Rockets on Monday at Toyota Center, according to head coach Stephen Silas.
The team arrives back in Houston late Sunday after the second of two exhibitions in Chicago. Silas gave his update before Sunday’s game.
Both Harden and Tucker were late arrivals at training camp following an offseason of significant uncertainty. Harden reportedly requested a trade, while Tucker sought a contract extension that he has yet to receive. However, the Rockets have held firm that they see both as key members of the 2020-21 team, and it appears that Monday will be the first day for thms to join their new head coach and teammates on the practice court.
“They’re supposed to be at practice tomorrow, as far as I know,” Silas said on Sunday night. “I haven’t heard anything to the contrary. So we’ll see those guys when we practice tomorrow.”
Stephen Silas’ update on James Harden and PJ Tucker: “They’re supposed to be at practice tomorrow as far as I know. I haven’t heard anything to the contrary. So we’ll see those guys when we practice tomorrow…It’s…” pic.twitter.com/TGUZZWkoc2
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 13, 2020
While both Harden and Tucker reported to Toyota Center last week, each player was delayed in completing his COVID-19 testing protocols, which are required by the NBA this season to participate in group work. Tucker did attend practices later in the week, but the 35-year-old did not participate as the team slowly builds up his physical activities. Meanwhile, Harden has been limited to individual workouts.
With the 2020-21 regular season set to begin on Dec. 23, and the final two preseason games on Tuesday and Thursday of this week, Silas knows time is of the essence when it comes to integrating that duo.
“It’s very important,” Silas said of their expected arrival. “You want to have your whole team, with a shortened schedule. We’re playing a real game in 10 days. So to have those guys back will be important, so they can get on the same page as everybody else.”
With Harden, Tucker, and Christian Wood (sore left elbow) unavailable, the Rockets again started John Wall, Eric Gordon, Danuel House Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, and DeMarcus Cousins in Sunday’s exhibition game.
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