Rockets’ Nene out with muscle tear
The Houston Rockets said Nene was out for the rest of the season Monday, one day after the veteran backup center tore a muscle in his left thigh.
“I hate it for Nene,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’s been so valuable all year, such a good guy.”
Nene was injured in Houston’s 125-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals Sunday night and didn’t return. The team is reviewing treatment options for the torn adductor muscle.
Nene, a 15-year veteran in his first season with the Rockets, averaged 10 points and 4.7 rebounds in nine postseason games this year.
The 6-foot-11 player was the star of Game 4 of Houston’s first-round series against Oklahoma City when he tied an NBA record by making all 12 of his shots and scoring 28 points in a 113-109 win.
Game 5 is Tuesday night in San Antonio with the series tied 2-2.
The injury leaves Houston short on big men to contend with San Antonio’s combination of 6-11 LaMarcus Aldridge and 7-footer Pau Gasol. Clint Capela will remain the starter, but the Rockets will have to shuffle their rotation to make up for the loss of Nene.
Raptors
Point guard Kyle Lowry will opt out of the final year of his contract and test free agency this summer. The three-time All-Star has one year and $12 million remaining on the four-year, $48 million deal he signed in July 2014. Lowry averaged a career best of 22.4 points, but was limited to 60 games because of a right wrist injury that required surgery in February.
Kings
Forward Rudy Gay informed Sacramento that he still plans to opt out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Gay, a veteran looking to return to a playoff team, would be owed $14,263,566 in the final year of a three-year contract and has until June 10 to officially opt out of his deal. “I want a ring,” he said. “That’s all that drives me. That’s all I’ve thought about right now.”