Rockets expected to be healthier this week

It was a rough go for the Houston Rockets this past week. In an already injury-riddled season (when was the last time we saw or heard from Eric Gordon?), the team hit the penultimate in Saturday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets when they had just seven active players.

In fact, D.J. Wilson, who came over in the P.J. Tucker deal, not only led the team in scoring with 25 points, but he also played 40 minutes. Give me “Things I never in a million years thought would happen in this Houston Rockets season” for $1000, Alex.

Anthony Lamb and Daquan Jefferies combined for 60 minutes of action off the bench, while rookie KJ Martin played 42 minutes, scoring 18 points,

Well, according to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets will get some reinforcements this week, as John Wall, Christian Wood, and Kevin Porter Jr. are all expected to return to the lineup, beginning with Tuesday’s game

Wood has been battling a sore ankle on and off ever since he returned from the major sprain he suffered earlier this year, and with it bothering him again and the Rockets swirling the drain, it’s been a prudent move to rest him. He’s expected back at some point this week, though.

John Wall has had issues with a sore knee the entire second half of the year. He was expected to need a surgical scope at some point, though that hasn’t actually happened yet. He sits out back-to-backs and when the knee is flaring, but he’s expected back this week as well. Which is good... just in time for my fantasy semi-finals. He’s my third guard behind Damian Lillard and Terry Rozier, so I’m going to need his services as much as possible this week.

I’m also pulling for Jae’Sean Tate, who, like Wood, is also fighting a sore ankle and also has a sore back. Tate started Saturday’s game against the Nuggets, though he only played 21 total minutes on the night. Tate is as tough as they come, so he’s expected to be out there this week, but maybe his minutes are limited. I need him for my fantasy playoffs this week, though too.

Kevin Porter Jr. has been out for several games after violating the league’s healthy safety protocols for the strip club visit in Miami that ended in Sterling Brown’s assault. Porter is expected to return on Tuesday, while Brown will remain out, most likely for the remainder of the year.

D.J. Augustin has also been out with an ankle sprain. He’s missed the last two weeks, and I personally don’t expect him back this year, while Avery Bradley has also missed time with an illness. We might see him this week.

The last missing Rocket is Danuel House, who also has an ankle sprain (what is it with all these ankles?) There was some thought he would return Saturday, but that didn’t happen and he’s still listed as out indefinitely until we have a specific further update.

My hope is that he stays out, quite honestly. I snagged KJ Martin as a sneaky pick up this week in fantasy, as the Rockets have four games. So as far as I’m concerned, House can sit out the rest of the year.

Anyway, the injury sitch is still a mess, but it will be improving soon. Enough to field an actual roster, and hopefully enough to send the Basin City Blues fantasy team to the finals.