Rockets at Spurs: Lineups, injury reports, and broadcast info for Saturday
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.
If the Rockets don't have Victor Oladipo and Kurucs tomorrow (both TBD), they could be down to the NBA minimum 8 players.
Wall is out again with a sore knee. Cousins is doubtful with a sore right ankle. Gordon is questionable with lower leg tightness. House still self-isolating.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 15, 2021
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
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.
Related
Rockets trade James Harden to Brooklyn, land Victor Oladipo, draft assets
List
Rockets reaction: Christian Wood, Sterling Brown, Jae'Sean Tate lead 'special win' at Spurs
