The Houston Rockets received some good news Tuesday when doctors cleared power forward Donatas Motiejunas to practice fully with the team, according to a source.
The Rockets didn’t have practice on Tuesday because they traveled back from Michigan on Monday night. Houston hosts New Orleans on Wednesday, so the next scheduled practice will be Thursday.
Motiejunas underwent back surgery late last season and was expected to start this season on time, but hasn't participated. Team medical officials have been bringing Motiejunas along slowly so that he wouldn’t re-injure his back.
The Rockets have missed Motiejunas’ ability to pass out of the post, hit mid-range jumpers and defend. Last season, Motiejunas averaged 12 points and 5.9 rebounds in 71 games. His offensive rating per 100 possessions is 107 and his true shooting percentage is 55.3 percent.
When Motiejunas returns to games is uncertain, but his participation in full-contact practice is a move in the right direction for a Rockets team struggling to defend in the front court.