Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon logged a third consecutive 20-point outing in Wednesday's 114-104 win over Brooklyn, but his night ended early after he picked up a second technical foul in the middle of the final quarter. He shot 8-for-12 from the field with a 2-for-4 record from downtown and hit all three of his free throws. Gordon picked up two rebounds and two assists with one block and four turnovers in 28 minutes. The awful Rockets have now somehow won seven straight games. Gordon has picked up very good momentum during the run, and he'll try to keep it up against the Bucks on Friday. Milwaukee tends to give up a lot of three-pointers, so it's a matchup that should suit the veteran sniper.

Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon enjoyed a 23-point night against New Orleans on Sunday, hitting 7-for-14 from the field and 6-for-6 at the line with a 3-for-7 effort from downtown. He registered five assists as well with two turnovers in 33 minutes. The Rockets suddenly find themselves on a six-game winning streak and Gordon has notched 20-plus points three times during the streak, which marks his best run of the season. Houston currently has a number of guys out injured and it's given the veteran sniper a chance to shine. He'll aim to produce a third consecutive 20-point outing on Wednesday against Brooklyn.

Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon and shooting guard/small forward Danuel House Jr. have both been removed from the injury report ahead of Wednesday's contest vs. Detroit. Gordon returns after a one-game absence, giving Houston a much-needed offensive punch off the bench. The veteran is shooting a career-high 51.4 percent overall, while knocking down threes at a stellar 52.9 percent clip. House's return comes after a six-game absence, but his role has significantly dwindled with the new-look Rockets roster.

Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Golden State Warriors. He is dealing with right groin tightness. The 32-year-old veteran missed the last two months of the 2020-21 campaign due to a right groin strain, so it's no surprise the team is being cautious with a similar injury. The game is also coming on the second end of a back-to-back after Gordon logged 29 minutes on Saturday. With Gordon sidelined, we could see Armoni Brooks, David Nwaba or Josh Christopher getting increased minutes.

Houston Rockets center Daniel Theis (rest) and guard Eric Gordon (rest) have been ruled out for Friday's preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs. There aren't any lingering injuries here, so the Rockets are just playing it safe as the regular season approaches. Theis has played well during his three preseason games, but only averaged 18.9 minutes per game. He certainly has the ability to create fantasy value, but it will be dependent on how often he's on the court.

Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon (ankle) is likely to miss his second consecutive preseason game on Monday. Gordon is dealing with soreness in his left ankle. The Rockets went with Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. in the backcourt for Thursday's game and the same should be expected on Monday. Rookie shooting guard Josh Christopher saw 16 minutes off the bench on Thursday and shot 5-for-10 for 12 points while also grabbing six boards. He could be a sneaky DFS play for Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (ankle) won't suit up for Thursday's preseason contest. This isn't shocking considering his injury history and it's a meaningless game. The veteran guard is going to have more competition than years prior. Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green have already been named the starters. That means, Gordon will compete with Jae'Sean Tate for minutes off the bench. Gordon probably won't have 12-team fantasy value to begin the season. The injury history is always a concern and he's a veteran player on a rebuilding roster. There should be plenty of DNPs for Gordon while in Houston this season.

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said Tuesday that he isn’t sure who will be attending the June 22 draft lottery when the team finds out where it will pick in July’s draft. But based on the luck he had in his first season as GM, he joked that he’s hoping it’s not him. “It’s definitely not me,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas chimed in. “You see our injuries this year?" After finishing at the bottom of the league’s standings at 17-55 — the third-worst record in team history and worst since the 1982-83 season — Houston has a 14% chance to secure the top pick, same as Detroit and Orlando. If Houston’s pick falls outside of the top four — about a 48% chance — Oklahoma City has the right to swap Miami’s No. 18 pick for it. Stone was noncommittal on his plans for the future, including whether or not Houston may try to package its three first-round picks for an established veteran. He was, however, adamant that the team doesn’t plan to intentionally perform poorly to accumulate... [More]

2021 — Stephen Curry, Golden State 2020 — Buddy Hield, Sacramento 2019 — Joe Harris, Brooklyn 2018 — Devin Booker, Phoenix 2017 — Eric Gordon, Houston 2016 — Klay Thompson, Golden State 2015 — Stephen Curry, Golden State 2014 — Marco Belinelli, San Antonio 2013 — Kyrie Irving, Cleveland 2012 — Kevin Love, Minnesota 2011 — James Jones, Miami 2010 — Paul Pierce, Boston 2009 — Daequan Cook, Miami 2008 — Jason Kapono, Toronto 2007 — Jason Kapono, Miami 2006 — Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 2005 — Quentin Richardson, Phoenix 2004 — Voshon Lenard, Denver 2003 — Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2002 — Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2001 — Ray Allen, Milwaukee 2000 — Jeff Hornacek, Utah 1999 — No contest 1998 — Jeff Hornacek, Utah 1997 — Steve Kerr, Chicago 1996 — Tim Legler, Washington 1995 — Glen Rice, Miami 1994 — Mark Price, Cleveland 1993 — Mark Price, Cleveland 1992 — Craig Hodges, Chicago 1991 — Craig Hodges, Chicago 1990 — Craig Hodges, Chicago 1989 — Dale Ellis, Seattle 1988 — Larry Bird, Boston 1987 — Larry Bird, Boston 1986 — Larry Bird, Boston

HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden forced his way out of Houston without bringing the Rockets an NBA title. Now that he’s in Brooklyn, the Rockets hope the huge haul of draft picks they received in the trade will allow them to chase championships in the future. “Our goal remains unchanged,” general manager Rafael Stone said Sunday, addressing the trade for the first time. “I think we’re well-positioned to develop something really special.” Houston dealt Harden to the Nets last week, a day after he said the Rockets weren't “good enough,” in a four-team trade that also involved Cleveland and Indiana. The Rockets didn’t receive a franchise cornerstone in the deal but got many draft picks that should position them to build a talented roster. The Rockets received Brooklyn’s unprotected first-round picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026 and the right to swap first-round selections with the Nets in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027. Houston also got Milwaukee’s 2022 first-round pick from Cleveland. Houston acquired three... [More]

The law of averages says an Oklahoma City Thunder starter will make a 3-pointer relatively quickly on Monday night.Someone better, or else.Houston — which famously wasted a chance to reach the NBA Finals by missing 27 consecutive 3-pointers in Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference finals — is a game away from the second round of these playoffs, after watching the Thunder suddenly forget how to shoot on Saturday night. The Rockets will take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 against the Thunder in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Monday night.“We’ll go back to the drawing board, see what we did well, see what we didn’t do well,” Thunder guard Chris Paul said.Houston rolled in Game 5, winning 114-80 on a night where the Thunder missed 14 consecutive 3-pointers in one 19-minute stretch during which the Rockets outscored them 55-25 — basically the entire winning margin.Thunder starters combined to miss their last 17 attempts from 3-point range and combined for the full game, Oklahoma City’s first-stringers... [More]

The law of averages says an Oklahoma City Thunder starter will make a 3-pointer relatively quickly on Monday night.Someone better, or else.Houston — which famously wasted a chance to reach the NBA Finals by missing 27 consecutive 3-pointers in Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference finals — is a game away from the second round of these playoffs, after watching the Thunder suddenly forget how to shoot on Saturday night. The Rockets will take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 against the Thunder in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Monday night.“We’ll go back to the drawing board, see what we did well, see what we didn’t do well,” Thunder guard Chris Paul said.Houston rolled in Game 5, winning 114-80 on a night where the Thunder missed 14 consecutive 3-pointers in one 19-minute stretch during which the Rockets outscored them 55-25 — basically the entire winning margin.Thunder starters combined to miss their last 17 attempts from 3-point range and combined for the full game, Oklahoma City’s first-stringers... [More]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — In a crammed schedule after the NBA's restart, rest has been hard to find.Teams played eight games in two weeks after play resumed on July 30, then jumped into the postseason. Midway through the first round, fatigue might start to show.That's why wrapping up series quickly, almost always a good thing, might be even more important this year. Miami has its chance. The Lakers and Bucks look like they still might.And Houston might regret if it let its opportunity get away.After wasting a late lead and dropping Game 3 in overtime, the Rockets look to regain control of their series against Oklahoma City when the teams meet Monday.“Playoffs, you've got some adversity somewhere and this is adversity,” Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. “Now we've got to come out, make another statement, so that's what we're going to do.”Houston had a five-point lead with under a minute remaining in regulation Saturday, before the Thunder rallied for a 119-107 victory in overtime that... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — James Harden has been scratched from the Houston Rockets' lineup Sunday night against the recently surging New Orleans Pelicans.Harden had been listed as questionable with a right toe sprain after scoring 44 points in Houston's 108-98 home victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night. Harden also has knee swelling stemming from a collision in that game, Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said.D'Antoni said Harden, who has yet to miss a game this season, probably could play through the pain, “but given the circumstances, it's better that he doesn't. He's banged up a little bit and it's better that he sits.”That left Houston without three prominent players against a Pelicans squad that has won three straight and four of five.Guard Russell Westbrook already was scheduled to sit out for rest and center Clint Capela was out with a right heel bruise.Returning to the Rockets' lineup is former New Orleans guard Eric Gordon, who has been out since having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in mid-November. He'll start alongside Pelicans 2012 first-round draft choice Austin Rivers in Houston's back court.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss about six weeks.Gordon was injured on Monday night against New Orleans and general manager Daryl Morey announced that he had surgery on Wednesday.Gordon has appeared in nine games with two starts this season and is averaging 10.9 points and 1.9 rebounds.The Rockets have won four straight entering Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

In today's high-stakes NBA, a powerful pair beats three of a kind.Teams who longed to build a Big Three are now striving for a dynamic duo, hoping two premier players are good enough to win a championship when the belief used to be that it required a trio.And with some of the combinations assembled this summer, it sure seems less is more.That's certainly the thinking in Los Angeles, where LeBron James and Anthony Davis will try to power the Lakers back to the playoffs, and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George attempt to carry the Clippers further than they've ever gone before.Houston is putting James Harden and Russell Westbrook together in a backcourt of recent MVPs, and Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant made the Nets the talk of not only New York but also the entire NBA on the opening day of free agency when they decided to partner up in Brooklyn."Everybody was looking for a Big Three," George said. "It didn't work for a lot of teams, so now this is a new dynamic for the new generation of this league."One... [More]

In today's high-stakes NBA, a powerful pair beats three of a kind.Teams who longed to build a Big Three are now striving for a dynamic duo, hoping two premier players are good enough to win a championship when the belief used to be that it required a trio.And with some of the combinations assembled this summer, it sure seems less is more.That's certainly the thinking in Los Angeles, where LeBron James and Anthony Davis will try to power the Lakers back to the playoffs, and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George attempt to carry the Clippers further than they've ever gone before.Houston is putting James Harden and Russell Westbrook together in a backcourt of recent MVPs, and Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant made the Nets the talk of not only New York but also the entire NBA on the opening day of free agency when they decided to partner up in Brooklyn."Everybody was looking for a Big Three," George said. "It didn't work for a lot of teams, so now this is a new dynamic for the new generation of this league."One... [More]

SHANGHAI (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Houston Rockets and veteran guard Eric Gordon have agreed on a contract extension that could keep him with the team for another five seasons in all.Gordon and the Rockets agreed on a three-year extension, which begins with the 2020-21 season, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side has publicly announced the agreement. There is an option for a fourth year to be added, which could push the total value of the new deal to just under $76 million.The Houston Chronicle first reported the agreement and ESPN first reported certain terms including how the final year is not yet guaranteed unless Gordon is selected as an All-Star or the Rockets win a championship. Gordon will make $14 million this season and then average about $18 million in salary over the following three years.Gordon has been remarkably consistent in his three seasons with the Rockets, averaging 16.8... [More]

SHANGHAI (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Houston Rockets and veteran guard Eric Gordon have agreed on a contract extension that could keep him with the team for another five seasons in all.Gordon and the Rockets agreed on a three-year extension, which begins with the 2020-21 season, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side has publicly announced the agreement. There is an option for a fourth year to be added, which could push the total value of the new deal to just under $76 million.The Houston Chronicle first reported the agreement and ESPN first reported certain terms including how the final year is not yet guaranteed unless Gordon is selected as an All-Star or the Rockets win a championship. Gordon will make $14 million this season and then average about $18 million in salary over the following three years.Gordon has been remarkably consistent in his three seasons with the Rockets, averaging 16.8... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — In the Western Conference finals last season, the Houston Rockets had home-court advantage and took a 3-2 lead over the Golden State Warriors before Houston star Chris Paul went down with a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of the series.As these teams prepare for Game 6 of the conference semifinals Friday night, the Warriors find themselves in almost the same situation Houston was in last year.The Warriors are just a win away from advancing to the conference finals for the fifth straight time, but will have to do it without NBA-playoffs leading scorer Kevin Durant, who will miss the rest of the series with a strained right calf.The two-time defending champions took advantage of Paul's injury in 2018 to win two straight after falling behind 3-2 and eliminated the Rockets on their home court to advance.The Rockets don't want to see Golden State celebrate a series victory on their home court again and are determined to bounce back after Wednesday night's loss... [More]