The Houston Rockets lost veteran defensive ace P.J. Tucker in the opening minutes of Saturday’s home game versus Minnesota, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury.
Tucker was injured when he ran headfirst into an illegal screen set by Minnesota big man Gorgui Dieng, who was called for a foul on the play. Tucker stayed down for several minutes in obvious pain before walking off to the locker room, with a trainer holding his right arm still.
Despite the scary scene, the diagnosis from the Rockets after about 30 minutes was a right shoulder “stinger,” with the team adding that Tucker was attempting to return to the game. Typically, that would indicate that the injury is not viewed by the medical staff as overly concerning.
However, with the Rockets (25-12) comfortably leading the Timberwolves (15-22) by 16 points at the halftime, there was no clear incentive for the team to rush him back. Houston doesn’t play again until Tuesday at Memphis, which could give Tucker a few days of built-in rest.
The 6-foot-5 forward has been a huge part of the team’s defense since signing in Houston prior to the 2017-18 season. Tucker hasn’t missed a single game since becoming a Rocket, and he’s played the most games of any NBA player dating back to the 2012-13 season.
Now 34 years old, Tucker entered Saturday with averages of 8.4 points (46.9% shooting, 37.3% on 3-pointers) and 7.5 rebounds in 35.9 minutes per game this season. He has started all 38 of the team’s games.
Head coach Mike D’Antoni is expected to update Tucker’s status in his postgame press conference after Saturday’s game.
With Tucker out, the Rockets started Danuel House Jr. in his place after halftime. House, who was benched earlier Saturday for Ben McLemore at his usual small forward spot, immediately replaced Tucker in Saturday’s game alongside the other four starters.
