Patrick Beverley still game-time decision vs. Thunder

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Rockets guard Patrick Beverley will be a game-time decision for a nationally televised matchup against Oklahoma City.

While the NBA world – and coach Mike D'Antoni – waits for the showdown between James Harden and Russell Westbrook, the Rockets are taking a cautious approach with Beverley, who is still dealing with right wrist pain.

"We'll see. ... He wants to play and he's trying everything he can to play," D'Antoni said Thursday morning at Toyota Center. "So we'll see at game time."

Beverley walked out of shootaround before the session was opened to the media and did not speak with reporters.

"They have said that it probably can't hurt any worse, so it's a matter of managing the pain," D'Antoni said. "If he's in pain, he shouldn't be going. So we'll see. He has to tell us that."

As for two early-season MVP candidates facing off on national TV, D'Antoni is a fan like everyone else.

Harden leads the 27-9 Rockets in average points (28.4), assists (11.9) and rebounds (8.2). He won Western Conference player of the month for December and D'Antoni earned coach of the month honors, while the Rockets have won 16 of 18 and have a four-game lead over the Clippers for third place in the Western Conference.

Westbrook is averaging a surreal triple-double (30.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and assists) but the Thunder (21-15) have fallen to sixth in the West and fell to the Hornets 123-112 in Charlotte on Wednesday.

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni reacts as his team trails as the Houston Rockets take on the Washington Wizards at the Toyota Center Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 in Houston. Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni reacts as his team trails as the Houston Rockets take on the Washington Wizards at the Toyota Center Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 in Houston. Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 60 Caption Close Patrick Beverley still game-time decision vs. Thunder 1 / 60 Back to Gallery

"It's about as good as it gets," said D'Antoni, referring to the matchup between Harden and Westbrook. "I think as a fan, it's great basketball, great theater. As a coach, it's fun to watch. I'm serious: I cannot wait til tonight to see what (Harden) and the rest of these guys can do."

D'Antoni also had fun with his recent coaching award. He joked that he didn't know how many monthly honors he'd won, then acknowledged the number: six.

"Who's counting, right?" D'Anoni said.

As for what another award means?

"Coaches of the year usually get fired," D'Antoni said. "I don't know about coaches of the month. But we'll see. You never know."