HOUSTON — The Rockets returned to the practice court Wednesday as they prepare for the NBA season’s final six weeks (24 games).
Notably absent was the backcourt duo of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, who remain sidelined by left leg injuries and are expected to miss Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
Porter has been sidelined for 17 games as he continues to heal from a toe injury, and Green went down with a strained groin in the last game before the All-Star break against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the tandem out, more playmaking responsibility will fall on players such as rookie point guard TyTy Washington and second-year shooting guard Josh Christopher.
“It is going to be a great opportunity,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said about the increased minutes for Washington and Christopher. “We need the ball handling and the scoring for sure. My response to them is always, ‘Stay ready; your time is coming.’”
Houston will also rely heavily on forward/guard Jae’Sean Tate, who has taken over the point guard duties as a starter with Porter out and Eric Gordon being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“It has been a little bit of an adjustment,” Tate said when asked about the increased responsibility. “My entire career, I have been like a Swiss Army knife. Put me wherever is productive for the team. I have been learning a lot along the way with my coaches and trainers. So, it is just making me into a well-rounded basketball player.”
The Rockets may get one of their backcourt starters back before the team plays the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, but Silas did not specifically say which one it would be.
