Houston Rockets center Clint Capela is doubtful for Saturday night’s home game versus the Brooklyn Nets with a right heel contusion, the team announced at Friday’s practice.
Capela was first placed on the injury report with a heel issue prior to Monday’s win in Sacramento, though he played through it for two games.
The 6-foot-10 big man is averaging 13.9 points (64.2% shooting), 14.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 33.6 minutes per game this season.
Though Capela has still averaged 12.5 rebounds per game this week while dealing with the injury, he hasn’t been as explosive near the basket and has struggled to finish. In his last two games, the 25-year-old is shooting 45.5% from the field — down from 65.8% over his first 25 games.
With Capela out against the Nets, the Rockets will likely start 37-year-old Tyson Chandler in his place at center. The 19-year NBA veteran has only played in three games in December, and none for more than seven minutes, as he’s dealt with a back injury and illness.
With Chandler likely on a minutes limitation, young prospects Isaiah Hartenstein and Gary Clark could get extended opportunities off Mike D’Antoni‘s bench Saturday versus Brooklyn. It’s unclear whether Capela will be able to return by Sunday, when the Rockets finish up a weekend back-to-back in New Orleans.
