In a season defined by widespread injuries and player absences for the Houston Rockets, it feels only fitting that 2020-21 will conclude on Sunday with more than half of the team’s roster unavailable.
In the pregame injury report, 10 of the team’s 17 players under standard contracts are listed as out with long-standing injuries. It’s easier to list the seven regulars who are playing: Kelly Olynyk, Jae’Sean Tate, DJ Augustin, KJ Martin, Anthony Lamb, Armoni Brooks, and D.J. Wilson (who finally exited health and safety protocols). Houston is meeting the NBA’s minimum threshold of at least eight active players with the additions of Cameron Oliver and Cam Reynolds, who are on hardship exceptions.
Yet, even with the absences of marquee players such as Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr., John Wall, and Eric Gordon, the short-handed Rockets have somehow found success as the NBA’s regular season winds down — even versus playoff teams. They were arguably a missed late call from taking down the defending champion Lakers in Los Angeles, and led by Olynyk and Tate, they defeated the Clippers on Friday in Houston.
Here’s when you should tune in to watch Sunday’s game:
- Date: Sunday, May 16
- Time: 6:00 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (17-54)
- Guard: DJ Augustin
- Guard: Armoni Brooks
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: KJ Martin
- Center: Kelly Olynyk
Atlanta Hawks (40-31)
- Guard: Trae Young
- Guard: Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Forward: Solomon Hill
- Forward: John Collins
- Center: Clint Capela
Unlike the Clippers, who rested several regulars on Friday such as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Pat Beverley, the Hawks are likely to play aggressively on Sunday night. Atlanta is in a very tight race with New York (40-31) and Miami (39-31) for the No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 playoff seeds out of the Eastern Conference. Earning the No. 4 spot would secure home-court advantage for at least one round of the playoffs.
Note: This post first appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
