Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons listed as ‘doubtful’ for Friday’s game against Atlanta Hawks
By Brad Rowland
When discussing the Houston Rockets, they are often thought of as a “two man team” with last year’s revelation in James Harden and this season’s monster acquisition in Dwight Howard. However, there is a big-time third option in Houston that many people are unaware of, and his status for Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks is very much up in the air.
3rd-year forward Chandler Parsons has been listed as “doubtful” for Friday’s game by Rockets head coach Kevin McHale (per report from Jason Friedman of Rockets.com), and while he’ll officially be a game-time decision, it looks unlikely that he’ll be able to play. Parsons missed Houston’s last game with a knee issue, and while Houston did manage to defeat the Lakers rather easily, they are a different team without him on the floor.
The 25-year-old Parsons is the team’s 3rd-leading scorer at 17.2 points per game and in addition to his highly efficient shooting (51.7% FG, 37.5% 3-PT), he is a very useful all-court player. Parsons uses his considerable length very effectively in securing 5.4 rebounds per game from the small forward spot, and he’s a willing/capable passer that helps to spread the court for Harden’s penetration.
Against the Al Horford-less Hawks, Houston can certainly still grab a win without Parsons in the lineup, but his presumed absence would make things much easier on Atlanta’s wings (i.e. Kyle Korver) and allow for Mike Budenholzer and company to key in on James Harden. Stay tuned.