Carmelo Anthony made his first start for the Houston Rockets on Friday night, scoring a team-high 24 points in a 133-113 loss to the visiting LA Clippers.
Houston is down two starters with James Harden and James Ennis nursing hamstring strains, giving Anthony a starting role after he came off the bench — for the first time in his 17-year career — in the first four games of the season. He was productive, going 8-of-18 from the field in the loss.
Harden, the reigning MVP, also is expected to miss Tuesday’s game in Portland with a Grade 1-plus left hamstring strain. He was injured in the team’s Wednesday night loss to Utah.
Ennis, who is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, missed his second straight game Friday and also is expected to sit Tuesday.
Anthony was in the starting lineup on the same night his good friend Chris Paul returned to the Rockets after missing the past two games while suspended. Paul scored 12 on 3-of-13 shooting.
Despite coming off the bench, Anthony has averaged 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 30.5 minutes per game.