Patrick Beverley might undergo surgery, likely to miss opener

NBA News – Rockets guard Pat Beverley’s left knee was reexamined on Tuesday as he and the Rockets consider treatment options that could include surgery, according to a person familiar with the meeting who spoke on the condition of anonymity because a decision has not been reached.

A decision about a treatment is expected by the end of the week, but the person with knowledge of the considerations said that any surgery would be “minor.”

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said the Rockets do not expect guard Pat Beverley to be available in time for next week’s season-opener.

“We’ll know more by the end of the week,” D’Antoni said. “I’m not counting on (Beverley returning by the season opener.) Can’t count on that.

“There’s always concern until (Beverley) gets back on the floor, but we’ll deal with it. If it’s more, he’ll do it and he’ll be back as soon as he can. The season is long. He’s going to be a big part of what we do. We have patience. We can wait on him.”

Pablo Prigioni, who missed Saturday’s game with a sprained left shoulder suffered last Wednesday in Beijing, did not practice on Tuesday and is uncertain to play Wednesday in Dallas, but D’Antoni said he “for sure” will play Friday in San Antonio.

Beverley was considered certain to start in the backcourt with James Harden. With Beverley out, D’Antoni has used K.J. McDaniels in the past two games, hoping to keep Eric Gordon in his sixth man role. With Beverley unlikely to play in the season-opener, he could move Gordon into the starting lineup.

“That’s part of basketball,” D’Antoni said. “We have other guys ready to step up. Eric Gordon has been playing great. Pablo and different guys will step up.”

Category: Basketball