Rockets injuries: Kevin Porter Jr. nears return, Danuel House Jr. still out

The Rockets could have at least one of two currently injured rotation players back in the lineup when Houston (1-4) kicks off its five-game Western Conference road trip on Sunday versus the Lakers (3-3).

Two nights after spraining his left ankle and leaving Thursday’s game early, starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. was present at Saturday’s practice, and head coach Stephen Silas said the Rockets were hopeful that he could play Sunday. Porter’s practice activities were limited, so he plans to test his ankle at Sunday’s shootaround before making a final call.

Now in his third season, the 21-year-old is averaging 12.4 points (38.7% on 3-pointers) and 5.2 assists in 28.4 minutes per game this season.

The news isn’t as positive for reserve forward Danuel House Jr., who sprained his right foot in Tuesday’s loss at Dallas. Silas said Saturday that House had yet to do any on-court work since the injury, and he remains sidelined for at least the first two games of the road trip. Beyond that, the team has yet to issue an expected timeline for his return.

House is averaging 3.3 points (40.0% on 3-pointers) and 3.0 rebounds in 11.3 minutes during the 2021-22 season to date.

Kevin Porter Jr said he hopes to play tomorrow night, noting he’s never played at Staples Center before. Stephen Silas said he didn’t do much at practice today, so he’ll go through shootaround tomorrow. Danuel House will be on the trip, but miss both Lakers games

— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 30, 2021

Danuel House Jr. will definitely not play in the two Laker games. He hasn’t done anything yet in terms of work. Still no timetable for his return.

— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) October 30, 2021

Kevin Porter Jr. did not do much at practice today, in anticipation that he will play tomorrow. Coach Silas says they’ll see how he feels, later and at shootaround tomorrow.

— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) October 30, 2021