Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said he does not know when guards Luther Head or Bonzi Wells will be available but he will be careful not to make either feel pressure to return to the team, adding that the Rockets might as well get used to having some players out.

Head was given time off because of a death in the family and Wells was excused from practices for "personal reasons."

"I'm not talking to them every day," Van Gundy said. "It's more when they feel they're ready to come back, they'll come back. Nothing's ideal in this league ... you just play who's there and expect them to play well, and this means more minutes for some of the younger players. They'll get opportunities to show they are ready, in the process of getting ready or not as ready as we would like."