LA Clippers forward and former Houston Rocket Luc Mbah a Moute will not play tonight against his former team due to a knee injury.
There will be no chance for a revenge game from LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute tonight, as he’ll be held out of tonight’s matchup with the Houston Rockets with left knee soreness, according to Clippers PR.
Mbah a Moute likely suffered the injury during practice sometime between Tuesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans and this afternoon. He logged 16 minutes against New Orleans, recording five points and three rebounds, and didn’t show any signs of injury at that point.
Without Mbah a Moute, look for Tyrone Wallace and Sindarius Thornwell to receive a bump in minutes. Mike Scott should also see some more floor time tonight as well.
Although Mbah a Moute won’t get a chance to show out against his former team, Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, and Lou Williams should all see big minutes against the Houston Rockets.
The former Houston trio has combined for just over 30 points per game this season, with Williams leading the pack with 15.0 per contest.
In related news, James Harden will sit out of tonight’s game because of a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He suffered his injury against the Utah Jazz earlier this week, and could be out for as little as one game and as many as three before he is reevaluated next week.
On the other hand, point guard Chris Paul will be making his return tonight for the Rockets for the first time since Saturday.
Paul was suspended on Monday for his involvement in a fight with Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo and forward Brandon Ingram. Paul received a two game suspension, the fewest of the bunch. Rondo got a three game suspension, and Ingram will be held out of four games.
This will also be Paul’s first game against the LA Clippers since March 2018, near the end of the 2017-2018 regular season.
On Sunday, the LA Clippers defeated the Houston Rockets at STAPLES Center by a final score of 115-112. Tobias Harris was the team’s leading scorer, going for 23 points on 60 percent shooting from the field. Rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in another 12 points as well, in addition to five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
The LA Clippers will meet the Houston Rockets tonight at 5:00 PM PST/8:00 PM EST.