(SportsRadio 610) -- James Harden and Russell Westbrook did not accompany the Rockets on their flight to Orlando on Thursday, but Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni says it won't be long until the two stars join the rest of their teammates.
"In a few days they'll be here," Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni said on a Zoom call following the team's first practice since March 11.
The Rockets haven't given an explanation for their absences, but D'Antoni isn't concerned it will have an impact as the team prepares for its first game on the NBA's restart on July 31.
"Obviously, (they're) going to miss a couple of practices, so it's not ideal, but it's going to be good, and we'll be ready," D'Antoni said. "It won't set us back."
The Rockets did not practice five-on-five drills, but they did get good work in.
"We went over all our offensive and defensive principles and film," D'Antoni said. "Then we got on the floor and we just drilled it. We drilled different aspects, and every day we'll pick a different one. All days it will be close-outs and box-outs, things we're not great at (that) we want to get better, and offensively just make sure that that we continue to move at the speed we want to play."
D'Antoni said he was pleased with what he saw Saturday, but he knows with 20 days left before the Rockets restart their season they have room to improve.
"It's gonna be a process and everyday we'll adjust our practices to how the guys are feeling, but the biggest thing is, are they mentally and are their heart's into it. and today they demonstrated that yes, they are, so we're just trying to keep it going."
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