Porzingis has been out since Christmas with a sprained ankle. The post Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is set to return to action against the Rockets appeared first on Boston.com.

After a four-game absence, Kristaps Porzingis made his return to the Celtics’ lineup Friday night in Houston. Boston upgraded Porzingis, who’d been listed as questionable with the ankle sprain he suffered on Christmas Day,

The Los Angeles Lakers head to Toyota Center to face the Houston Rockets in a Western Conference matchup. The Lakers are 18-14, which puts them in seventh place. The Rockets are faring a bit better, with a 22-11 record that puts them in third place.

It's Lakers vs Rockets on Jan. 5 in the NBA. Here's how to watch, including time, channel, TV schedule and streaming info.

On paper, the Boston Celtics had already made 17 3s, just one shy of their season average with nearly three-quarters of a quarter to go. By comparison, the Houston Rockets had converted only nine. But Friday night’s dismal showing — a lopsided 109-86 loss to the reigning champs — was yet another painful reminder of the offensive shortcomings augmented by a lack of bodies,

Derrick White and Jayson Tatum combined for 43 points and the visiting Boston Celtics rode a brilliant offensive first half to a 109-86 win over the injury-depleted Houston Rockets on Friday.

The toughest month of the Celtics’ schedule is off to a banner start. Twenty-four hours after outlasting the Timberwolves in Minnesota, Boston manhandled the Houston Rockets on Friday, cruising to a 109-86 demolition of one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.