A very long injury report for the Rockets had an unexpected gameday addition in the form of rookie forward Jae’Sean Tate. Prior to Wednesday’s home matchup versus Philadelphia, Tate was Houston’s only player to have not missed a game during the 2020-21 NBA season.
Tate is listed as out due to health and safety protocols, which might point to a multi-game absence, depending on the circumstances of his possible exposure to COVID-19. Houston (16-49) has a road back-to-back coming up, with a trip to Milwaukee on Friday and Utah on Saturday.
A 6-foot-4 forward, Tate is one of Houston’s most versatile players and likely its best on defense. The 25-year-old averages 11.2 points (51.3% FG), 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 29.4 minutes per game, and he’s expected to draw heavy consideration for the All-Rookie First Team.
Well. Jae’Sean Tate will miss his first game of the season…More additions to #Rockets injury report:
Jae’Sean Tate (Out – Health & Safety Protocols)
Christian Wood (Doubtful – Right Ankle Soreness)— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) May 5, 2021
In addition to Tate, other current absences for the Rockets include John Wall (right hamstring), Sterling Brown (left knee), D.J. Wilson (health and safety protocols), Eric Gordon (right groin), and Dante Exum (right calf). Houston also has three more players that could be out, with Christian Wood (right ankle) and Danuel House Jr. (right ankle) each listed as doubtful and DJ Augustin (left ankle) listed as questionable.
For a team with the NBA’s worst record and ravaged by injuries for months, it feels only fitting that they’re limping to the finish line. The 2020-21 season will conclude for the Rockets on Sunday, May 16.
