With the status of backcourt starters Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green still in doubt due to injuries, the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets take an eight-game losing streak to Portland for Sunday night’s battle versus Damian Lillard and the host Trail Blazers.
In addition to being at home and having clearly the better team on paper, the Blazers also have the advantages of extra rest and incentive. Portland hasn’t played since Thursday in Sacramento, and perhaps their two most marquee veterans (Lillard and Jerami Grant) didn’t play in that one due to a snowstorm-induced travel delay.
The Blazers lost that game and are currently one game back of the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament, so they’re expecting to make amends versus the lowly Rockets.
For the Rockets, any backcourt absences could open up more minutes for promising rookie guard TyTy Washington, who had 15 points on solid efficiency in Friday’s loss at Golden State.
Both Green and Porter practiced on Saturday, so there seemed to be at least the potential for one or both to play in Portland. Before deciding, head coach Stephen Silas said the team would wait until Sunday to see how both players respond physically to the increased workloads.
Later in the day, both guards were listed as out on Houston’s official injury report. However, that could be revised on Sunday.
Rockets guards Kevin Porter Jr. (toe) and Jalen Green (groin) both fully participated in today's practice in SF before the team flies to Portland. Rockets coach Stephen Silas said the team will see how both respond to determine whether they can play against the Blazers on Sunday.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 25, 2023