In an apparent form of load management, Russell Westbrook is unlikely to play for the Rockets in Monday’s game at Memphis.
Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni delivered the news to reporters in his media session just before Sunday’s game in Miami. The two games over consecutive days represent the first of 11 back-to-backs for the Rockets in the 2019-20 NBA season.
In his first season with the Rockets, who entered Sunday at 3-2 on the year, Westbrook is averaging 23.4 points (48.4% shooting), 11.0 rebounds, and 9.8 assists in 34.6 minutes per game. The 30-year-old guard certainly hasn’t appeared to be injured or limited in any way.
Rather, this appears to be what GM Daryl Morey referred to in September as a plan to rest certain players when healthy.
When asked in September whether Westbrook and James Harden could join the NBA’s “load management era” this season, Morey said:
We don’t like to label it, honestly. Our goal is to peak in April. We need to be smart about it. Keith [Jones, the Rockets senior vice president of basketball operations] and Jason [Biles, the Rockets head athletic trainer and director of performance rehab] are putting together a plan. I think there is a good chance you’ll see some guys resting when healthy.
Harden has played in 78 or more games in four of the last five regular seasons, while Westbrook has played in 80 or more games in three of his last four seasons. By comparison, 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard played just 60 games with Toronto last season.
D’Antoni also announced at his pregame media session that Eric Gordon would start at small forward in Sunday’s game versus the Heat in place of Danuel House Jr. The switch appears to have been made in an attempt to spark Gordon, who has had a statistically awful start to the new season through five games.
Gordon started Sunday’s game in Miami alongside Westbrook, Harden, forward P.J. Tucker, and center Clint Capela. Both Gordon and House are likely to start Monday’s game in Memphis, assuming Westbrook sits out as planned.
