Despite adductor strain, PJ Tucker poised to extend consecutive games streak for Rockets
Due to various injury and health concerns, the Houston Rockets are already without three starters (John Wall, Christian Wood, and Danuel House Jr.) for Friday night’s game in Detroit.
While veteran forward PJ Tucker also isn’t feeling great, a nagging adductor strain doesn’t seem likely to lead to a fourth absence.
“I strained my adductor,” Tucker said after Thursday’s practice from Toyota Center. “I’m cool, though. We’ll get through it.”
When asked what it would take for him to miss a game, Tucker replied:
I don’t know. A lot.
Tucker is not listed on the team’s updated injury report.
Assuming the 35-year-old gives it a go, Friday will represent Tucker’s 255th consecutive game played in the regular season. His last absence was April 2, 2017, when he was a member of the Toronto Raptors.
The key will be whether Tucker can be effective while fighting through the discomfort. In Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix, the Rockets were -23 in the 21 minutes that Tucker played, and head coach Stephen Silas acknowledged postgame that his discomfort was a reason for the limited playing time. (Tucker played just four minutes in the second half.)
Coach Silas says PJ Tucker had some abdominal discomfort/possible strain which is why he didn't play down the stretch
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) January 21, 2021
Known for versatile defense, toughness and corner 3-point shooting, Tucker has averaged 6.7 points (37.2% on 3-pointers) and 5.9 rebounds in 32.0 minutes per game over his four Houston seasons. A valued leader and key voice in the locker room, the 6-foot-5 forward hasn’t missed a single game in either the regular season or playoffs for the Rockets.
“It means a lot,” Tucker said Thursday in response to a question about the importance of playing every night. “It’s part of who I am.”
Dating back to the 2012-13 season, Tucker has played in the most games (650) of any NBA player. Even at 35, he clearly doesn’t want that run to end — and for the time being, it doesn’t seem as though it will.
