The Houston Rockets are such a top-heavy team that injuries to key players could become a huge problem. Fortunately for Mike D’Antoni and the rest of the coaching staff, it seems PJ Tucker will be available for the team’s next game.
D’Antoni was approached by Hunter Atkins for the Houston Chronicle and asked about the condition of the veteran defender. He answered with positivity, confident that Tucker will be back in the rotation by the time they play the Memphis Grizzlies.
Mike D’Antoni expects PJ Tucker to be available by Tuesday vs. MEM.
— Hunter Atkins (@HunterAtkins35) January 12, 2020
Tucker is an important part of Houston’s system as he’s the starting forward for the team. Mike D’Antoni knows this. Tucker is currently playing his best basketball since the 2015-16 season: his averages of 8.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks has turned him into a key defensive presence for these Rockets.
The team and Mike D’Antoni initially feared that they may lose Tucker for an extended period due to the injury he sustained against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He ran straight into an illegal screen by Giorgui Dieng, rendering him ineffective for the remainder of the game. They managed to hang on as the other role players in the team stepped up, though.
After getting learning that Tucker will only need a couple of days’ worth of rest, Houston and Mike D’Antoni shouldn’t have to worry about playing their upcoming games with a weakened squad. Their next five games will be against tough opponents: the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets. They will need all the help they can get if they’re going to win these games.
Of course, the Rockets are still James Harden’s team, but he cannot do everything alone. Tucker and the rest of the bench would have to chip in and do the dirty work so Harden can wow the crowds and help them win the game. Mike D’Antoni has his work cut out for him in a very complicated season.
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