Harden, Capela improving
The Rockets are getting as close to full strength as they are going to get this season, but if that comes in time for Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets remains uncertain.
Guard James Harden (sprained toe) and center Clint Capela (bruised heel) were upgraded to questionable after missing Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. With Russell Westbrook sitting out that game as part of the team’s plan to hold him to one game in backto-backs, the Rockets were without three starters in New Orleans.
The Rockets have not had their full rotation together since Nov. 11. Eric Gordon, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery two days later, returned Sunday.
Gordon was limited to 22½ minutes in his first game after six weeks of rehabilitation following the surgery, scoring a season-high 20 points.
Harden missed a game for the first time this season on Sunday. Harden has missed just 30 of 607 games since joining the Rockets. The Rockets went 2-2 in games he missed last season when he missed just one of the final 75 games. Capela missed his second consecutive game after struggling with the injury for several games on the Rockets’ road trip.
If Harden and Capela return Tuesday, the Rockets will be without Gerald Green who is out for the season and Nene ,whois not expected to play this season, along with their players in the G League on two-way contracts, Michael Frazier and William Howard.
Hartenstein seizes chance
Clint Capela’s absence in the weekend’s two games opened an opportunity for second-year Rockets center Isaiah Hartenstein, who had his career high in scoring in both games and might have indicated that he is ready for an increased role even when Capela returns.
Hartenstein had 10 points and 13 rebounds Saturday against the Nets. He followed that with 19 points and nine rebounds the next night in New Orleans.
“I have to make the most of my opportunities,” Hartenstein said. “I think I did a pretty good job these last two games of doing that. For us, for me especially, it was an opportunity and I made the best of it.
“Being here and now getting the minutes, I’m showing what I can really do. It’s (about) getting more minutes and most important, teammates have more confidence.”