Rockets' P.J. Tucker, Nene ruled out for preseason opener Tuesday

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 22: PJ Tucker #4 of the Houston Rockets reacts after a play against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) less OAKLAND, CA - MAY 22: PJ Tucker #4 of the Houston Rockets reacts after a play against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May ... more Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Rockets' P.J. Tucker, Nene ruled out for preseason opener Tuesday 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Veterans P.J. Tucker (sore back) and Nene (tight calf) were ruled out for the Rockets preseason game Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala., though Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni called the issues “Just normal aches and pains.”

Backup centers Isaiah Hartenstein (sprained right ankle) and Zhou Qi (sprained ankle) were upgraded to questionable. Zhou sat out training camp in Lake Charles with Hartenstein missing the final two days.

Tucker, the Rockets’ starting power forward, remained in Friday’s scrimmage when he tweaked his back, but sat out Saturday and said the issue is not much of a concern.

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“Not much of a setback,” Tucker said. “Just had some back soreness so just thought there was no reason for me to travel to Birmingham, to get on those flights for a day trip. Just rest up and get back.

“As hard as we’ve been going, they thought it would probably be good even though I could probably play, just to sit out, just get back all the way 100 percent ready. I could probably still play, but there’s no need.”