NBA Playoffs: Houston Rockets Injury Updates For Game 6

Apr 29, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) sits on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries have been a major story line in the series, but there may be a bit of good news for the Houston Rockets for Friday night’s game 6.

 Jeremy Lin, will play tonight, but is expected to come off the bench, according to Jonathan Feigen.  Lin has only been healthy for one game in the series, and is excited to get back into action.  Kevin McHale talked about the decision Friday morning at shootaround:

 “Our guys have a little bit of rhythm in this series, as Oklahoma City has a rhythm in the series. To be thrown out there – that’s why we have to be a little bit careful. Jeremy hasn’t played in a while. And not only has he not played, he hasn’t been able to shoot and do anything with any kind of contact for … a week or so or longer.

 “We’ll bring him off the bench and see how much juice he has in the tank. It’s hard to enter a series when you haven’t played in a while, but we’re going to try to keep what we have going. Jeremy, we’ll try to fit him in there, see how he is and see how his arm feels. If he gets hit or anything happens.”

 Carlos Delfino, who had to leave game 5 after suffering a foot injury, is currently being listed as questionable.  He did not participate in shootaround Monday morning and the Rockets won’t rule a decision on him until around game time.

 James Harden went into game 5 suffering from flu-like symptoms, but his performance wouldn’t have told you that.  Harden was diagnosed with a strep throat Thursday, and has been going through the treatments in the last 24 hours.  ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported that Harden was able to fully participate in Friday’s shootaround and will be good to go.