Trevor Ariza (back) is considered unlikely to play Wednesday against the Wizards, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ariza (back) is considered unlikely to play Wednesday against the Wizards, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis:

Ariza took a hard fall while going to the basket against Brooklyn on Tuesday night, and though X-rays on the forward came back negative, he wasn't cleared to return after he was diagnosed with a lower-back bruise. Still dealing with considerable soreness Wednesday, Ariza is expected to sit out the second half of a back-to-back set, with the team officially listing him as "doubtful." Assuming Ariza, who has played in 173 consecutive games, sits out against his former team, Houston will likely go with Marcus Thornton or Corey Brewer at small forward. Thornton put up 32 points off the bench Tuesday, while Brewer finished with 22 points, also in reserve role.