Inside The Rockets

Eric Gordon Leaves Rockets Scrimmage With Left Ankle Injury

Gordon landed on the foot of Celtics center Vincent Poirier before being helped off the floor in the second quarter.

Michael Shapiro

Rockets guard Eric Gordon exited Houston's scrimmage in the second quarter on Tuesday with a left ankle injury. 

Gordon landed on the foot of Celtics center Vincent Poirier before being helped off the floor. Gordon briefly put weight on his leg, but he needed help leaving the arena. 

X-Rays on Gordon's ankle came back negative, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni said postgame the team will know more about the extent of Gordon's injury on Wednesday, but the shooting guard is expected to miss at least "a few days."

It's been an injury-riddled 2019-20 for the Indiana product. Gordon missed 22 games in November and December after undergoing knee surgery, and he battled shin and ankle injuries in February and March. The NBA's extended hiatus appeared to benefit Gordon as he rehabbed his knee during Houston's four months off. 

Gordon has struggled when he's been on the floor this season. He's shooting a career-low 37% from the field, and he's down to just 31.9% from three. But despite Gordon's struggles, he was slated to play in the starting lineup when the regular season resumes on July 31, per head coach Mike D'Antoni. 

The Rockets have plenty of experience playing without Gordon in 2019-20. Danuel House started in 47 of his 58 appearances this season, and the Rockets opted to start Ben McLemore alongside James Harden and Russell Westbrook in the second half on Tuesday. Austin Rivers will likely soak up additional minutes if Gordon misses extended time. 

The Rockets will be done with their scrimmage slate at the conclusion of Tuesday's scrimmage. They will face the Mavericks when the regular season resumes on July 31.

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Michael Shapiro
MICHAEL SHAPIRO

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