While the Houston Rockets are up 3-1 in their opening round playoffs series against Utah, one key player has been fighting two different respiratory illnesses. Clint Capela is battling the two illnesses, according to a recent ESPN report.
Capela told ESPN that doctors diagnosed him with adenovirus and klebsiella just before the series started. The Salt Lake City doctor that Capela visited prescribed him eye drops and medication to fight the illnesses. He was also told it would be “another four or five days” before he’d made a full recovery. That could mean he’s limited for Game 5 and a possible Game 6 against Utah.
Monday evening. In Utah, the Jazz were able to grab a 107-91 victory behind 31 points from Donovan Mitchell. Capela had his worst game in the series, scoring just four points and grabbing seven rebounds. The Rockets’ center shot just 1-for-6 from the field in the outing.
Capela clearly was sluggish and struggling in that elimination game. Utah managed to win the battle for points in the paint in dominant fashion, 52-22. In addition, the SB Nation Rockets site TheDreamShake indicated that Capela was -20 when on the floor for the Rockets in that Game 4. He also played only 27 minutes for the entire contest.
Capela told ESPN following his team’s Game 4 loss, “It’s tough, man. Especially when I try to breathe, it’s hard. I’m just going to fight it the best that I can.”
For the season, Capela averaged 16.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. The scoring and rebounding averages are both career-highs for the Rockets’ big man. He was considered amongst the key factors in a game against a pesky Jazz squad for this Rockets’ opening-round playoff series.
The two teams will meet against on Wednesday night beginning at 7 p.m. local time (8 p.m. ET). The Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets Game 5 will be televised on TNT as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference attempts to eliminate their opponents.
If the Houston Rockets can battle past Clint Capela’s health issues to get the big win at home in Game 5, it will allow their center the necessary time to rest up. Houston plays the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors matchup. Golden State currently leads 3-1 in that series.
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