With frontcourt thin, Spurs will look to rookies for depth

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SAN ANTONIO – Already thin in their frontcourt, the Spurs announced after Saturday morning's shootaround that they will also be without backup center Jakob Poeltl tonight when they host the Houston Rockets.

Poeltl (sprained right ankle) joins starting forward Rudy Gay (sore right heel) and backup center Pau Gasol (sore left foot) on the list of frontcourt players who will be sidelined against the Rockets.

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Poeltl suffered his injury in the Spurs' 95-88 loss to Miami on Wednesday.

The injuries mean the Spurs will have to turn to rookies Chimezie Metu and Drew Eubanks for depth to support power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

Metu is a second-round pick from Southern Cal. Eubanks was undrafted out of Oregon State.

CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY FOR A LOOK AT SPURS INJURIES THIS SEASON. less In this file photo, head coach Gregg Popovich talks with Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol during a game in 2017. Both Gay and Gasol will be out when the Spurs play the Rockets Saturday. CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY FOR A ... more In this file photo, head coach Gregg Popovich talks with Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol during a game in 2017. Both Gay and Gasol will be out when the Spurs play the Rockets Saturday. Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close With frontcourt thin, Spurs will look to rookies for depth 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

Metu is known for his versatility and shot-blocking skills. The Spurs like Eubanks toughness and ability to run the floor.

"He's a pogo stick," Aldridge said of Metu.

Selected 49th overall by the Spurs in June, Metu averaged 1.7 blocks per game as a junior last season at Southern Cal.

"He definitely jumps pretty high," said Aldridge, who averaged a team-high 1.2 blocks per game last season.