Houston Rockets forward and veteran defensive ace P.J. Tucker said at Tuesday’s practice that he’s playing through nerve damage in his right shoulder after an on-court collision earlier this month.
The injury occurred on Jan. 11 versus Minnesota, which happens to be the last game the Rockets have won. Tucker was injured when he ran headfirst into an illegal screen set by Minnesota big man Gorgui Dieng, with the Rockets initially calling it as a “stinger” injury.
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 since the 2012-13 season.
When asked about the injury to his shooting arm, Tucker said Tuesday:
It’s hard. … When you’ve got nerve damage, it’s really tough. But like I said, it’s something I don’t complain about. I just play, and that’s it. There’s nothing else to talk about. We’re struggling [as a team], and I’ve got to fight through it.
Tucker was then asked if he might need a surgical procedure after the season to correct the problem. He rejected that notion, clarifying that he just needs “rest” for the injury to heal. The Rockets will have over a week off to rest in mid-February for the NBA’s annual All-Star break.
While Tucker has still provided valuable defense to the Rockets, he’s shot just 25.0% from the field and 33.3% on 3-pointers in four games since the injury. Head coach Mike D’Antoni said late last week that Houston would attempt to limit the team’s defensive leader to about 30 minutes per game moving forward, perhaps in part due to the injury.
Despite listing 30 minutes as the goal, however, the Rockets then played Tucker 35 and 41 minutes, respectively, in losses Saturday and Monday.
Now 34 years old, Tucker is averaging 7.7 points (45.5% shooting, 37.1% on 3-pointers) and 7.1 rebounds in 35.1 minutes per game this season. He’s the only Rocket to have started all 42 of the team’s games.
Tucker and the Rockets (26-16) will look to stop a season-long losing streak of four games when they return to action Wednesday night at home against the Denver Nuggets (30-13). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central time from Toyota Center.
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