Rockets change Russell Westbrook's rest plan for OKC return

Having faced the Thunder once at home this season, Russell Westbrook makes his return to Oklahoma City on Thursday. Having faced the Thunder once at home this season, Russell Westbrook makes his return to Oklahoma City on Thursday. Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Rockets change Russell Westbrook's rest plan for OKC return 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

The Rockets will alter the season-long plan that has held guard Russell Westbrook out of one game in back-to-backs, but only slightly for this week’s special occasion.

With the Rockets in Oklahoma City on Thursday for the first time since the July trade for Westbrook, he will sit out Wednesday’s game in Atlanta to be available to play again where he spent his first 11 seasons.

Westbrook had been held out of the second game of back-to-backs this season, The Rockets are 2-2 in the games Westbrook has missed.

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Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said the Rockets plan to hold Westbrook out of one game in back-to-backs for the duration of the season. The Rockets have seven sets of two games in as many nights remaining this season.

Westbrook has scored at least 20 points in 12-consecutive games, averaging 27.8 points on 46.4 percent shooting in that stretch. He averaged 21.7 points on 39.9 percent shooting in his first 19 games this season.

The Rockets plan to have Eric Gordon available to play in Atlanta and Oklahoma City, though D’Antoni said that would be determined based on how he recovers after playing against the Hawks on Wednesday.