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We mentioned yesterday how the injury woes for the Houston Rockets were one of the factors leading to their slow start, and now we’ve found out today that it’s about to get worse before it gets better.
Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reported that James Ennis will now miss Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz with a strained hamstring.
James Ennis is with a strained right hamstring. Nene getting an MRI on his strained calf. He and Chriss questionable.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 23, 2018
With Brandon Knight, Nene, and Marquese Chriss already missing time due to injury, and Chris Paul out after a two-game suspension, the Rockets are extremely shorthanded. Other than Paul, no one knows exactly when all these guys will be back, and there’s currently no word on the severity of the injury to Ennis.
One would think that Ennis’ absence would open a starting spot for Carmelo Anthony, but Feigen announced some news in that regard as well. Michael Carter-Williams will be stepping in with the starters instead of Melo.
Michael Carter-Williams to start with Ennis out.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 23, 2018
Despite a strong preseason, Carter-Williams has been pretty bad in Houston’s three games so far, averaging just 4 points per game on 31 percent shooting. His long ball has looked downright embarrassing at times.
Despite the early stage, the Rockets will really need to circle the wagons to snap out of the start-of-the-year funk they find themselves in, because they’re certainly getting no love from the injury gods.
Stay tuned here at TDS for any updates on Houston’s cadre of injured players.