Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon did not play in Sunday night’s game at Golden State with what the team listed as right groin tightness. The 32-year-old veteran missed the final two months of the 2020-21 season with a right groin strain, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the team treats the injury with considerable caution in the days ahead.
Gordon’s absence is likely to be a short-term blow to the young Rockets (1-8), who entered Sunday with seven consecutive losses. Gordon is averaging 13.8 points in 26.9 minutes per game this season, including a blistering shooting clip of 51.4% overall and 52.9% on 3-pointers. The 6-foot-3 guard is also one of Houston’s most valuable defenders.
With Gordon sidelined and swingman Danuel House Jr. still unavailable due to a right foot sprain, that could open up more minutes off the bench for second-year sharpshooter Armoni Brooks and perhaps rookie guard Josh Christopher. Head coach Stephen Silas will update Gordon’s status in pregame remarks prior to Sunday’s 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
In the longer-term, Gordon could become a desirable trade target for title contenders ahead of this season’s trade deadline in February 2022. Thus, the Rockets have numerous incentives to ensure that he is healthy.
#Rockets are undermanned on their first back-to-back. Danuel House Jr. remains out today with the foot sprain. Eric Gordon is out with right groin tightness.
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) November 7, 2021
