The Houston Rockets will get one of their key cogs back in the mix as they prepare for the stretch run.
According to this report from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, center Clint Capela will return Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rockets center Clint Capela is returning to practice today after missing 15 games due to ligament damage in his right thumb. Barring a setback, he's expected to play Thursday against the Lakers.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 20, 2019
Capela has missed the past 15 games after undergoing surgery on his right thumb. Prior to suffering said injury, the 24-year-old Capela was having a career season — averaging 17.6 points and 12.6 rebounds while shooting at a 63 percent mark from the field.
This could be a major boon for a Rockets team that heads into the unofficial second half of the season as the fifth seed out west. Houston posted a pedestrian 9-6 record in the 15 games Capela missed.