Kevin Martin Injury: Rockets Guard Returns To Lineup Against Timberwolves

After sitting out two straight games with a heel injury, Kevin Martin will make his return to the Rockets' lineup Monday night when the team takes on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

McHale says K-Mart should be good to go tonight. Says he might limit his workload, though.

— Jason Friedman (@RocketsJCF) January 30, 2012

Martin enters tonight's game averaging 20.1 points per game for the Rockets who won both games without him. After a slow start, Houston has been red hot of late winning nine of their last 10 games and are currently 12-8 and a half game behind the Dallas Mavericks for the Southwest Division lead.

Rockets coach Kevin McHale indicated that he might limit Martin's minutes somewhat tonight which could mean a slight bump for Chase Buddinger who helped fill in during Martin's absence.

For more on Kevin Martin's injury and the Houston Rockets check out The Dream Shake. For more NBA news and analysis head on over to SB Nation's NBA basketball page.

Kevin Martin Injury: Rockets Guard Sits Out Win Over Knicks

Houston Rockets leading scorer Kevin Martin sat out his second straight game with what the team is now calling inflammation of the right heel. The Rockets won their second straight without Martin on Saturday defeating the New York Knicks 97-84 at the Toyota Center.

Martin was ruled out shortly before Saturday's tip off against the Knicks even though he lobbied to play. Rockets coach Kevin McHale talked about the decision to sit Martin before the game:

"He's a little disappointed he's not going to play tonight," McHale said, "but this is a crazy schedule and we'd much rather him be a little more cautious tonight because we have eight games in the next 10 or 12 games coming up in 11 or 12 days coming up so that's what we are kind of shooting for."

Martin is still listed as day-to-day and his status for Monday's game against Minnesota is still in question.

For more on Kevin Martin's injury and the Houston Rockets check out The Dream Shake. For more NBA news and analysis head on over to SB Nation's NBA basketball page.

Kevin Martin Injury: Rockets Guard Day-To-Day With Plantar Fasciitis

Kevin Martin's is day-to-day after missing Friday night's game with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.