Rockets forward Luis Scola left Monday’s game against the Sacramento Kings with a left knee injury. The game was never in doubt, so his absence wasn’t felt too much, but Rockets.com writer Jason Friedman reports that Scola is considered day-to-day right now and his injury will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen tweeted that Scola would not play tomorrow if his leg felt as sore tomorrow as it did today. The Rockets have a crucial game against the Phoenix Suns tomorrow night. Obviously, if Scola is out for any extended period of time, their longshot playoff hopes likely die with him. Even missing tomorrow’s game, one of the few games left where the Rockets get to face a team ahead of them in the lower part of the Western Conference playoff picture, could put the Rockets in a very grim situation.
Without Scola, the Rockets would likely use rookie Patrick Patterson in the starting lineup, and Jordan Hill would see an increase in playing time as well.