Report: Rockets' Motiejunas out for season due to back injury

In yet another blow to the indefatigable Houston Rockets, third-year big man Donatas Motiejunas has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a lower-back injury, according to USA Today's Sam Amick. 

Motiejunas was initially slated to miss just 1-2 weeks, but he has reportedly not made progress in his recovery, and the pain has not subsided. 

If there's a silver lining for the Rockets, it's that Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones are both healthy and returning to form after missing half the season to injuries. But Motiejunas made great progress in his third season, soaking up the majority of Howard's minutes at center, drastically improving his shooting, refining his post game and proving a more-than-capable team defender.

In a season rife with injuries and bad luck, the Rockets somehow managed to not only survive, but thrive. Despite the extended absences to Howard, Terrence Jones and Patrick Beverley - 60 percent of their staring lineup - they sit at 53-24, good for second in the Western Conference. That's not a surprise, that's a miracle. 

Motiejunas was a huge part of that, even if his contributions were cast in the long shadow of James Harden's beard. The Rockets will miss him in the playoffs.