With Eric Gordon potentially back, Rockets hope to set rotation

PHOTOS: Rockets vs. Pacers Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives toward the basket while LA Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell (5) is defensing during the first quarter of the NBA game at Toyota Center on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Houston. >>>See the Rockets in action against the Pacers on Monday, Nov. 5 ... less PHOTOS: Rockets vs. Pacers Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives toward the basket while LA Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell (5) is defensing during the first quarter of the NBA game at Toyota ... more Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close With Eric Gordon potentially back, Rockets hope to set rotation 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

Rockets guard Eric Gordon, who missed the past two games with a strained right adductor muscle, returned to practice on Wednesday and is listed as questionable to play Thursday in Oklahoma City. His availability will be determined largely by how he responds to Wednesday’s workout, but the Rockets hope to establish a playing rotation for the first time since the opening games of the season.

“If he has a great practice and feels good, then obviously we’ll do it,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said of Gordon playing in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Gordon has struggled with his shot to start the season, making 32.1 percent overall and 23.6 percent of his 3s. He made 6 of 14 attempts in the first game of the road trip after an 0 for 3 start, showing signs of turning things around before sitting out the past two games.

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“It hasn’t been in rhythm yet for everybody,” Gordon said. “That’s coming together over the past couple games. I know it’ll come for everybody.

“I always look back at each game and see what I can do better. Everybody wasn’t play well. Everybody is starting to get back to it. It’s definitely encouraging to see that.”

The Rockets hope that Gordon’s return will lead to the continuity in the rotation they have lacked. The Sixth Man of the Year winner in 2016-17 and runner-up in 2017-18, Gordon came off the Rockets bench this season only in the first two games. He moved into the starting lineup when Chris Paul was suspended, remained a starter when James Harden was hurt and missed the two games since Harden returned.

“It makes it easier,” Gordon said of establishing a rotation. “Everybody has a role on this team. For us to be successful and have chemistry, everybody has to be out there on the floor. We’re starting to get to that point. We haven’t gotten to that point, yet. Things are going the right way and heading the right direction now. Once we get everybody healthy, I think it’ll work out.”

In addition to the players that had been out, Nene (strained right calf) and Brandon Knight (left knee injury), guard Michael Carter-Williams is out with an illness. Carter-Williams did not play in the two games since Harden returned. If Gordon returns on Thursday, the Rockets would have a rotation they would like to stick with. They have not had the same starting lineup for more than two consecutive games yet this season.

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“One of the problems we had, with the problems of guys being out, guys being in, new guys, trying rookies out, who to trust, who not to trust, it wasn’t a great rotation of people,” D’Antoni said. “They weren’t feeling comfortable and it showed up in how we played. That’s kind of evened itself in the last two or three games. Now, get Eric back in the mix, it’s going to change a little bit. We need to be able to do that for two or three games.”