PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 11: Patrick Beverley #2 of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 11, 2015 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley may need surgery.
Reports have surfaced today suggesting that Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley may need surgery to correct a lingering knee problem.
The defensive-minded guard has missed the past four preseason games with knee irritation and that may only be the beginning.
Head coach Mike D’Antoni has already ruled Beverley out for next week’s season opener.
Beverley will undergo further tests this week and then a final determination will be made.
With Beverley out this preseason, the Rockets have been using James Harden as their point guard and the offensive force has responded with video game-like numbers.
So far this preseason, Harden is averaging 29.0 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in about 30 minutes a night.
It’s on the defensive side of the ball that the Rockets will really miss Beverley, a guard largely considered to be one of the better on-ball defenders in the NBA today.
Last season, Beverley posted 9,9 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds a game, while playing lock-down defense and shooting 40% from the 3-point line. A rare non-ball dominant point guard, he’s a perfect compliment in the backcourt next to Harden.
With Beverley out of the line-up, it’s likely the Rockets will start Eric Gordon, who they signed as a free agent this summer.
- TAGS
- Eric Gordon
- Houston Rockets
- James Harden
- Mike D’Antoni
- Patrick Beverley
