Wood practicing after missing three games

Rockets center Christian

Wood returned to practice Saturday after missing the Rockets’ past three games with illness that came on the day after he played what Rockets coach Stephen Silas called the best performance he had ever seen from Wood.

“I had a flu, a fever and strep throat,” Wood said. “It was beating me up for a little bit. I couldn’t really get up out of bed to move. The coaches and the medical staff gave me the necessary rest and told me to relax.”

Wood had made 8 of 12 shots to score 28 points with 13 rebounds while anchoring the Rockets’ defense against the Grizzlies in a win that snapped a 12-game losing streak. He said the timing of his illness was “definitely” frustrating.

“I was getting into a groove, offensive rhythm,” Wood said. “I felt like me, J.T. ( Jae’Sean Tate) and K.P. ( Kevin Porter Jr.) were starting to figure each other out a little bit. So, it weas definitely a setback.”

Wood has been the Rockets’ leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. In six games played since the All-Star break, Wood has averaged 21.2 points on 58.7 percent shooting and 46.4 percent 3-point shooting. He has scored at least 20 points in four of those six games after scoring at least 20 in just one of his previous six games.

Silas said Wood’s availability in New Orleans on Sunday would be determined by how he responds to Saturday’s short practice.

“(Saturday was) the first day we’ve seen him since Miami,” Silas said of Monday’s loss to the Heat when Wood was ruled out shortly before the game. “He hasn’t done much of anything, still on his medication. We’ll see.”

Wood, who was not listed on the Rockets’ injury report, said he already knew.

“I’ll be ready tomorrow,”

Wood said. “I’ll play. I definitely tried to get my wind back. I had time today and tomorrow at shootaround to get my wind back, so I’ll be ready to go.”