Danuel House Jr., who began the 2020-21 season as Houston’s starter at small forward, practiced with the Rockets on Monday for the first time in more than three weeks. A 6-foot-6 forward, House is one of the team’s most versatile and athletic defenders and a solid 3-point shooter.
Starting Jan. 4, House missed four games with back spasms. Then, just as his back was improving, the 27-year-old went into the NBA’s new health and safety protocols program (introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic) and was forced to self-isolate.
Head coach Stephen Silas did not know if House would play in Tuesday’s home game against the Washington Wizards, noting that it would take him a little while to work back up to speed after an extended layoff. While in self-isolation, physical activites for NBA players are limited.
However, House said that he “felt good” during Monday’s practice at Toyota Center. While noting that he would defer to the team’s training staff on his official timetable, he said he hoped to return Tuesday.
“Hopefully I’ll be back tomorrow,” he said. “I’m planning on it.”
House said hopefully he'll be back tomorrow, he plans on it, but will listen to what the performance, medical staff says. https://t.co/uRM5iESbWJ
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) January 25, 2021
The return timetable is less clear for starting center Christian Wood, who sprained his ankle last Wednesday versus Phoenix. Wood did not practice Monday, though that was due to an excused absence for personal reasons. However, Silas said the training staff was still working on Wood’s ankle, and thus his status for Tuesday was not yet known.
Silas had said Friday that the Rockets (6-9) were hopeful of Wood’s potential return versus the Wizards (3-9). Houston enters Tuesday’s game, which tips off at 7:00 p.m. Central, on a two-game winning streak.
Danuel House Jr. returned to practice today, but it will take him "a little while" to get back, given the extent of his absence.
Christian Wood did not practice today for personal reasons, but they're still working on the ankle. Not sure on his status for tomorrow yet. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 25, 2021
