Tuesday night will mark the first time in nearly three weeks the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets will play in the friendly home confines of Toyota Center after completing an extended road trip that spanned both sides of the All-Star break.
The bad news is back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, whose Denver Nuggets own the best record in the Western Conference by more than five games, will be waiting for them.
If there’s any consolation for the struggling Rockets, who enter with nine straight losses, it’s that reinforcements are on the way. They’ve been without their usual starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jalen Green (left groin strain) in recent days, but Green is expected to return Tuesday and Porter could, as well.
However, because the Rockets are on a back-to-back and will play again on Wednesday versus Memphis (also at home), it’s possible they could be conservative in using any recently injured players. For example, Jae’Sean Tate is out due to right ankle injury maintenance.
Jalen Green (left groin strain) will return to the #Rockets lineup on Tuesday versus Denver.
Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) is questionable.
Jae’Sean Tate (right ankle injury maintenance) is out on night one of the back-to-back.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2023