After expressing optimism earlier this week on Wednesday as a potential return date, Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said prior to tipoff versus Charlotte that starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. remained hobbled by a left foot contusion and would not play.
Porter, who suffered the injury on Jan. 11 in Sacramento, has now missed four straight games. According to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle, Porter is still having trouble pushing off his big toe — and until that pain subsides, he cannot play. Silas said there is no exact timetable for Porter’s return to the Rockets.
As the starter at point guard for 40 games, Porter has averaged 19.2 points (43.6% FG, 34.6% on 3-pointers), 5.6 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 turnovers in 34.0 minutes per game this season.
KJ Martin has effectively replaced Porter in Houston’s starting lineup over the past week, with Jalen Green and Eric Gordon each sliding down a position. In the absence of a typical point guard, Silas and the Rockets have run more offense over this period through big man Alperen Sengun, who is coming off a career game in Los Angeles with 33 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocked shots.
Kevin Porter Jr is out tonight vs Charlotte
He will miss his 4th straight game with a left foot contusion
Stephen Silas had this update before the game@HoustonRockets #Rockets @creditkarma pic.twitter.com/g0kUE5tHiu
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 18, 2023
