Rockets at Spurs: Lineups, injury reports, and broadcast info for Saturday

John Wall and Danuel House are out, Eric Gordon is questionable, and DeMarcus Cousins is doubtful. Recent trade acquisitions are uncertain.

The Houston Rockets had an inspiring victory in San Antonio on Thursday night, in large part due to overcoming the odds with an extremely shorthanded roster featuring only nine active players. Christian Wood led the way with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots.

Two days later, they might be asked to do it all over again.

As of late Friday, the Rockets did not know if any reinforcements would arrive in time for Saturday’s rematch with the Spurs at AT&T Center. The NBA is conducting these mini-series during the 2020-21 regular season to minimize travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rotation fixtures John Wall (sore left knee) and Danuel House Jr. (health and safety protocols) are again listed as out, while Eric Gordon (left lower leg tightness) is questionable. Gordon was also initially listed as questionable for Thursday before sitting out. DeMarcus Cousins is new to Houston’s injury report with right ankle soreness, and he’s doubtful.

Here’s when you should tune in to see Saturday’s game:

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 16
  • Time: 4:00 p.m. Central
  • TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
  • Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)

Probable starting lineups

Houston Rockets (4-6)

  • Guard: Sterling Brown
  • Guard: Ben McLemore
  • Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
  • Forward: PJ Tucker
  • Center: Christian Wood

San Antonio Spurs (6-6)

  • Guard: Dejounte Murray
  • Guard: Lonnie Walker IV
  • Forward: Keldon Johnson
  • Forward: DeMar DeRozan
  • Center: LaMarcus Aldridge

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Of Houston’s three newly acquired players connected to the blockbuster James Harden trade, Dante Exum is likely unavailable until March with a calf strain. That leaves guard Victor Oladipo from Indiana and forward Rodions Kurucs from Brooklyn. Oladipo, however, had yet to be formally traded as of late Friday, since the Rockets are flipping Caris LeVert (who they acquired from the Nets in the Harden deal) to Indiana for Oladipo.

Before that separate transaction can be processed, all players in the initial trade have to complete their physicals, and it’s unclear whether that will happen in time for an afternoon game on Saturday.

Should the new acquisitions not be cleared, Houston could be down to the NBA’s minimum of eight active players. Rookie reserves Mason Jones and KJ Martin Jr., who each impressed on Thursday in their first game as a rotation player, may need to play even more minutes Saturday.

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