After missing Houston’s last three games (all losses) due to a left thigh contusion, starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. will return to the Rockets in time for Wednesday’s home game versus Chicago. He was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice and updated his condition after.
“I’m going to be out there playing tomorrow, for sure,” Porter said at practice. “I feel good. I just wanted to take my time, especially after the second time I hit my thigh. That was a sign of my body telling myself to sit down and let it heal. I put it through a lot of irritation already.”
Porter first suffered the injury on Nov. 7 at Golden State. Head coach Stephen Silas expressed surprise that Porter was able to recover in time for Houston’s next game on Nov. 10, but the injury was reaggravated during a Nov. 15 collision at Memphis. As such, Porter and the Rockets were more conservative in their treatment protocol this time.
Now 21 years old, Porter is averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 30.8 minutes per game this season. Prior to this three-game absence, he had yet to miss a single game, and Houston’s desire to give Porter more repetitions at point guard was a key aspect of the organization’s decision not to play veteran John Wall this season. Silas also praised Porter earlier in the month for his growth on defense.
Look who is back on the court. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/dp6gRsJkTZ
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) November 23, 2021
Kevin Porter Jr. says he really wanted to take his time coming back from the hip injury as opposed to last time (no games off). https://t.co/h05qNUU9Nu pic.twitter.com/Kz7iuUGkp4
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 23, 2021
