Nene’s knee worsens injury plight
DETROIT — The Rockets’ injury issues have escalated, with Nene the fourth player and third rotation member who will miss time.
The center did not go on the trip to Detroit and Chicago and is scheduled to have his bruised right knee re-examined late this week, which would keep him out of Wednesday’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Unless he is cleared to play, he could sit out the trip to Phoenix and Los Angeles before the Rockets return for a threegame homestand.
Nene has played in 27 games this season, averaging 7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Guard James Harden is not scheduled to have his strained left hamstring re-examined for another week before the team could get a sense of a potential timetable for his return. The best case to return from a Grade 2 hamstring strain is considered two to three weeks, with a more severe tear keeping players out four to six weeks.
Forward Luc Mbah a Moute is expected to miss at least another week with a dislocated shoulder. He has been out since Dec. 13.
Forward Troy Williams is out with a sprained knee, though he has begun on-court workouts. Center Chinanu Onuaku, who has been with the Vipers throughout the season, is with the team, but he could undergo a sinus procedure that would keep him out.
Black finally gets a chance to play
With Nene out, reserve center Tarik Black is expected to get more consistent playing time and an opportunity to better develop chemistry with the guards. Black has played in 29 games, but often only to finish games when Nene has been healthy, averaging 9.5 minutes per game.
“It just takes a while,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “You sit there for five games, you don’t get in and then you get in for 10 minutes, it’s hard. He’s had the hardest role on the team and it just wasn’t consistent minutes.”
Jackson to stay with Vipers
The Rockets terminated their two-way contract with guard Demetrius Jackson, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
Jackson will sign a 10-day contract with the Rockets, but is not expected to join the team. The Rockets plan to have Jackson remain with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and play in the G League Showcase, the individual with knowledge of the plans said.
Jackson played in 12 games with the Rockets, averaging 4.6 points. He had used most of his 45 days permitted with the team before the Rockets would have had to keep him in the G League or convert his two-way deal to an NBA contract.
Guard Briante’ Weber, also signed to a twoway contract, has been in the rotation since the injury to James Harden, limiting chances Jackson would have had with the Rockets.