Rockets' Clint Capela returns, though still battling pain - Chron

By Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle

Published 5:43 pm CST, Tuesday, December 31, 2019

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  PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game

  Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets scores on a dunk in front of Ivica Zubac #40 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during a 122-117 Houston Rockets win at Staples Center on December 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season.

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  PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game

  Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets scores on a dunk in front of Ivica Zubac #40 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during a 122-117 Houston Rockets win at Staples Center

  ... more

  Photo: Harry How/Getty Images

Photo: Harry How/Getty Images

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PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game

Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets scores on a dunk in front of Ivica Zubac #40 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during a 122-117 Houston Rockets win at Staples Center on December 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season.

less

PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game

Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets scores on a dunk in front of Ivica Zubac #40 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during a 122-117 Houston Rockets win at Staples Center

... more

Photo: Harry How/Getty Images

Rockets' Clint Capela returns, though still battling pain

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Though Rockets center Clint Capela, who returned to the court on Tuesday after missing a pair of games with a bruised right heel, said he was still far from 100 percent, felt much better than when he struggled in games against the Kings and Warriors.

Capela, who was hurt in the second half of the previous game against the Suns, made just 10 of 22 shots in those two games, though he did average 12.5 rebounds.

“I was in pain,” Capela said. “I couldn’t run. I couldn’t push off my feet, get as high as I wanted rebounding the ball, get as high as I wanted blocking shots. It was just something stopping me from really doing what I do on the court. It was something I was feeling.”

Capela said playing in those games worsened the condition, leading to the decision to sit out against the Nets and Pelicans.

“I’m better; enough to play,” Capela said. “I just have to make sure before the game I do some extra treatment on it; after the game, some hot and cold on it to make sure it keeps getting better.”

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