When Patrick Beverley underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist two weeks ago, the expectation was that the Houston Rockets would be without their starting point guard for the remainder of the season.
But while it was reported Beverley would need four months to recover, the pesky guard has now said a postseason return is possible.
"Very strong possibility," Beverley told Fox26 Sports' Mark Berman about playing in the playoffs.
Beverley added that while his wrist won't yet be strong enough, he's hoping to play as soon as his cast comes off in mid-May, assuming the Rockets are still alive in the Western Conference playoffs.
"If we do what we need to do hopefully I come back like Willis Reed," Beverley said, channeling memories of the New York Knicks legend who miraculously returned for Game 7 of the 1970 Finals despite a torn thigh muscle.
"I don't care about the pain. I can play through pain. I've been playing through all type of stuff the whole year," Beverley said. "I just have to get this cast off. When the cast comes off May 18, May 20th, wrap it up with tape and be good to go. I don't care how weak it is. I don't care how strong it is. I don't care about that," he added.
"As soon as this cast is off I'm back to business."
Beverley averaged 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals in more than 30 minutes per game for the Rockets, with his poor overall shooting from the field offset by his 35.9 percent 3-point shooting and 5.8 3-point attempts per game.
For those who put stock in on-off splits, however, the Rockets have actually performed better without the defensive pest on the court.
