Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Rockets will reportedly be without another key contributor for the upcoming NBA playoffs, with the Houston Chronicle stating Wednesday that forward Donatas Motiejunas has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Motiejunas has missed the Rockets' last six games with pain in his lower back. According to the Chronicle, the team is still weighing whether or not the injury will require surgery.
Houston, which currently owns a one-game lead on Memphis for first place in the Southwest Division, will also be without starting point guard Patrick Beverley for the playoffs due to ligament damage in his left wrist that necessitated surgery.
Motiejunas had developed into a reliable rotation piece during his third NBA season in 2014-15. The 24-year-old has started 62 games and posted career-best averages of 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 36.8 percent from 3-point range.
The Rockets have five games remaining in the regular season, beginning with Wednesday's important matchup at red-hot San Antonio. The Spurs trail Houston by just 1 1/2 games in the division and have won eight in a row.
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