Eric Gordon expected to miss up to six weeks due to knee injury

Shortly before beginning practice Tuesday afternoon, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni announced that Eric Gordon will have a procedure on his knee and is expected to miss up to six weeks. Gordon, who has played a key role in the Rockets’ success over the past four seasons, will undergo the procedure tomorrow morning.

The timing of Gordon’s injury comes less than 24 hours after he produced his best game of the season, recording 17 points while shooting 6-for-11 from the field (54.5%), 4-for-7 (57.1%) from behind the arc, during the Rockets’ 122-116 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

“Eric [Gordon] is going to have a procedure on his knee to clean up some stuff, and he will likely be out up to six weeks. It’s been bothering him since the middle of last year. I think he’s probably relieved that he can clean it up, get it going, so he can come as back strong as ever.” D’Antoni

Despite playing nearly 30 minutes per game, perhaps this injury has played the primary factor in Gordon’s horrendous start to the season. Through the first 10 games, the former Sixth Man of the Year has averaged 10.9 points on 30.9% shooting from the floor and 28.4% from deep.

With Gordon sidelined for a little over a month, D’Antoni says it will be a challenge trying to replace his on-court production, but will look to guys like Chris Clemons and Ben McLemore to help fill the void.

“Next guy up. It makes for a tough challenge especially when Russell [Westbrook] has to sit out of back-to-backs, but Chris Clemons will fill in and help point guard duties when Russ is not there. Ben (McLemore) will step up and play and Austin (Rivers).”

In addition to Gordon, D’Antoni confirmed that Danuel House is questionable following a bruised lower back injury he sustained against the Pelicans, and McLemore will likely start on Wednesday when the Rockets take on the Los Angeles Clippers inside the Toyota Center in Houston. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 P.M.