Clark will come off the bench Saturday against the Lakers, Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic reports.
After being in the starting five for one game, coach Mike D'Antoni has changed his tune, and James Ennis will start at power forward. Clark should still see solid run, however. Over his past four games, he's averaging 4.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 20.0 minutes.
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Rockets' Eric Gordon: Cleared to play
Rotowire
8H ago
Gordon (knee) has been cleared to play Saturday against the Lakers but may see limited minutes, Craig Ackerman of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.
Knee soreness won't prevent Gordon from playing Saturday, though it seems coach Mike D'Antoni may monitor the guard's minutes. Gordon is averaging 15.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists this season across 32.8 minutes.
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Rockets' James Ennis: Will play, start Saturday
Rotowire
8H ago
Ennis (calf) will start Saturday's game against the Lakers, Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic reports.
Ennis is back after missing Thursday's game against Brooklyn and will return to the starting lineup. In 30 games this season, he's averaging 6.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 22.5 minutes.
Rockets' Carmelo Anthony: Expected to find new team by Feb. 7
Rotowire
16H ago
Anthony, who has been away from the Rockets since mutually parting ways with the team in mid-November, reportedly has "multiple options available" for his next destination and is expected to decide on a landing spot by Feb. 7, according to Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Anthony's star has faded following an underwhelming stint in Oklahoma City in 2017-18 and an even more disastrous one in Houston over 10 appearances this season before the Rockets' brain trust elected to pull the plug. As an inefficient high-volume shooter who struggles on the defensive end, the 10-time All-Star is probably best suited for a lower-minute role as a second-unit scorer, a reality he may have to accept no matter where he ultimately lands. Though trade discussions surrounding Anthony have been quiet since he was exiled by the Rockets, the 34-year-old has reportedly been working out on his own in preparation for another opportunity elsewhere. While Anthony is playing on a meager one-year, $2.39 million contract, it's unclear if any team is willing to surrender a genuine asset to acquire the forward even at that meager price. As a result, it's possible the Rockets will opt to buy him out at some point in February and clear the way for him to sign with another team.
Rockets' Kenneth Faried: Will sign with Houston after buyout
Rotowire
16H ago
Faried will have his contract bought out Saturday by the Nets and plans to sign with Houston upon clearing waivers Monday Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
With Clint Capela (thumb) likely out for another month or so, the Rockets will pick up Faried to add some experience to their frontcourt mix. The 2011 first-round pick was averaging just 5.1 and 3.7 rebounds in 12 contests this season with the Nets, but he should have an opportunity to play extensive minutes in Houston given the lack of quality center options in Houston. Faried has displayed the ability to put up double-double production when given meaningful playing time in the past, so he could warrant a look in deeper formats where available.
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Rockets' Brandon Knight: Remains out Saturday
Rotowire
1D ago
Knight (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Lakers, Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic reports.
Knight is slated to miss his fourth straight contest due to left knee soreness. He'll have a chance to return Monday against the 76ers.
Paul (hamstring) is expected to return to action sometime next week, Salman Ali of USA Today reports.
Paul has been inactive since Dec. 22 with a strained hamstring but was taking part in some on-court work at practice Friday. Coach Mike D'Antoni has thus far resisted announcing a return date for Paul, but this report suggests that the point guard could be ready to go within the Rockets' next few games. Expect Paul to remain sidelined for at least Saturday's game against the Lakers and Monday' game in Philadelphia before the Rockets likely re-evaluate him early next week.
Gordon (knee) is probable for Saturday's contest against the Lakers, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.
Gordon, who has been plagued with knee problems recently, retuned to action following a eight-game absence Wednesday but had to exit early due to experiencing knee soreness again. Officially listed as probable heading into Saturday's matchup with the Lakers, if Gordon is ultimately held out for a ninth time in 10 games, Gerald Green will presumably see an increased role.
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Rockets' James Ennis: Probable for Saturday
Rotowire
2D ago
Ennis (calf) is probable for Saturday's game against the Lakers, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Ennis was held out of Wednesday's loss to the Nets due to a calf laceration, but the injury won't cost him more than one game. Gary Clark will likely return to the bench upon Ennis' expected return this weekend unless D'Antoni wants to utilize a smaller starting lineup again.
Capela's thumb surgery went as planned Thursday and he's expected to return in 4-to-6 weeks, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.
As predicted, Capela will miss at least a month as he rehabs from surgery on his right thumb. Capela's absence isn't good news for his team, although it's good to hear that the procedure went well and that he'll return well before the playoffs begin.
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Rockets' Eric Gordon: Downplays late exit Wednesday
Rotowire
3D ago
Gordon said his knee is "feeling okay" despite exiting Wednesday's loss to the Nets in the fourth quarter, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.
Gordon said his departure from Wednesday's game with a sore knee was to be expected, as it was his first game action in more than two weeks (a span of eight games). The veteran guard added that he didn't suffer any setback and the 21 minutes he played -- during which he notched 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal -- was part of the team's plan. Gordon should be tentatively considered questionable for Saturday's game against the Lakers, though it sounds like he's leaning towards playing. His status should clear up as the game approaches.
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Rockets' Austin Rivers: Plays huge minutes in loss
Rotowire
3D ago
Rivers played 46 minutes and contributed 13 points (5-14 FG, 3-9 3Pt), six assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block across 46 minutes Wednesday in the Rockets' 145-142 overtime loss to the Nets.
RIvers cleared the 40-minute mark for the fifth time in nine games, benefiting greatly from an onslaught of injuries in addition to coach Mike D'Antoni's streamlined rotations. Though the Rockets returned a key backcourt member in Eric Gordon (knee) from injury, Gordon experienced renewed soreness during the contest to end his night early. While it's not believed to be a major setback, Gordon could be held out for Saturday's game against the Lakers as a precaution, which would clear the way for Rivers to once again absorb most of the minutes at guard alongside superstar James Harden.
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Rockets' P.J. Tucker: Posts unexpected scoring total
Rotowire
3D ago
Tucker registered 20 points (7-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-6 FT), 10 rebounds, an assist, a block and two steals over 42 minutes Wednesday against Brooklyn.
Tucker put together one of his better outings of late, knocking down 50.0 percent of his threes and 58.3 percent of his attempts from the field. He also notched his second double-double of the 2018-19 campaign. James Harden has taken over a large portion of the scoring attack for the Rockets of late, and Tucker has posted an unimpressive 9.4 ppg and 4.9 rpg average to start the month of January. He'll take the court next against the Lakers on Saturday.
