Starting midfielder Christian Wood and reserve guard Ben McLemore were each available for the Houston Rockets for Friday’s home game against Orlando, according to a preliminary update by head coach Stephen Silas.
Wood missed Wednesday’s game with a sore on his left knee after hitting a knee late in Monday’s loss to Dallas. The big 6-foot-10, 25-year-old has been the highlight this season – averaging 23.6 points (55.3% FG), 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 35.8 minutes per game. The numbers per game are ranked 21st, 14th and third in the league, respectively.
Meanwhile, McLemore has yet to play in the 2020-21 regular season after testing positive for COVID-19 at the end of December and being subject to a mandatory period of self- loneliness. Last season, McLemore averaged 10.1 points in 22.8 minutes per game off the Houston bench, leading his 40.0% clip on the team’s 3-pointers.
Danuel House Jr. (back spasms) misses his third straight game and still walks “slowly and calmly,” although Silas said House had improved since earlier in the week – when it was difficult to walk. As such, the status of the House remains day-to-day. Without a typical Houston start at a small forward level, that could free up minutes for McLemore to play on the wing. Wood usually starts at the middle.
Friday night’s game at the Toyota Center between the Rockets and a visit to Magic’s Off Offers at 7pm Mid.