Recent Lakers news is that Houston Rockets guard James Harden is being listed as questionable for their matchup on New Year’s Eve.
With the Los Angeles Lakers being on a five-game losing streak, recent Lakers news might be good for the team. On Sunday, the Lakers will be facing the Houston Rockets. As one of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Rockets have actually fallen on some hard times.
Like the Lakers, the Rockets are on a five-game losing streak. On Sunday, the Rockets might be without their best player, as James Harden is listed as questionable with a foot injury.
This season, Harden has been incredible for the Rockets once again. He is averaging 32.1 points, nine assists, and five rebounds per game. According to Jonathan Feigen, the Harden is officially listed as questionable.
Rockets guard James Harden listed as questionable with a bruised right foot. Ryan Anderson (lower back tightness) probable. Clint Capela upgraded to probable.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 31, 2017
If there is any real concern about Harden, or if he isn’t near 100 percent, sitting him against the Lakers makes a lot of sense. Despite beating the Rockets once this season, the Rockets are still a better team than the Lakers, even without Harden.
For the Lakers, they certainly are short-handed on Sunday, as Lonzo Ball, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Brook Lopez are all out for the game. Having three starters out for the Lakers will be hard to overcome, but missing Harden is a big deal for the Rockets.
In two games against the Lakers this season, Harden is averaging some video game type numbers. He has averaged 43.5 points, 9.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. Even though the Rockets lost with Harden having a 50-point night against the Lakers, he has played great against them this season.
With Harden being listed as questionable, the Rockets do expect to have both Ryan Anderson and Clint Capela in the lineup. As their two main frontcourt players, this is certainly good news for the Rockets, especially if Harden is out.
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Sunday will be the final game before the New Year for the Lakers. Hopefully, they can snap this five-game losing streak and end 2017 on a positive note.