Game Day Notes: DeMar DeRozan will return vs. Rockets, tip-off time changed

There’s a little bit of breaking news ahead of the Spurs’ match-up with the now Harden-less Houston Rockets tonight. First, DeMar DeRozan has been cleared to play tonight. After missing the second matchup in Minnesota and Monday’s win against the Thunder to visit his ailing father, DeRozan has returned to San Antonio and cleared all COVD-19 protocols, which included getting frequently tested while he was away from the team.

The second bit of news is the game has been moved to being broadcast on TNT with a tip-off time change from 7:00 PM CT to 6:30, so be sure to tune in 30 minutes earlier than you previously planned. Originally the Heat — 76ers game was supposed to fill this time slot, but a multitude of players absences on the Heat’s end (mostly related to COVID protocols) made the NBA opt to pick up the Spurs — Rockets game instead (likely unaware that James Harden would not be there). This will be the Spurs’ first and so far only scheduled game on national television this season.

Welcome back, DeMar (hope your father is doing well), and welcome to your first glance at the new-look Spurs, rest of the NBA world! You may find them a tad but more enjoyable to watch than expected.