In Cameron Oliver debut, Rockets set NBA record for most players in a season

With Monday’s debut for newly signed big man Cameron Oliver, the Houston Rockets set an NBA record with 29 players having now played for the team in the 2020-21 season. The previous record was 28, shared by this season’s Rockets, the 2015-16 Grizzlies, and the 2018-19 Magic.

The number reflects a turbulent year for the Rockets and new head coach Stephen Silas, who began the season having to navigate James Harden’s trade demand alongside widespread injuries and COVID-19 health concerns. While Harden was traded to Brooklyn in January, which added to the changing roster, the injuries and health woes have yet to abate.

As of Monday, 10 of the roster’s 17 players under standard contracts were listed on the team’s injury report. In recent days, the NBA approved two hardship exceptions (for Oliver and Khyri Thomas) just to allow the Rockets to have enough players to finish out the season.

It’s also important to remember that this is a shortened NBA regular season of only 72 games. With Oliver’s debut in the 69th game, Houston set the mark 13 games prior to when a normal 82-game slate would end.

The complete list of this season’s 29 players includes Harden, Oliver, Victor Oladipo, Christian Wood, John Wall, Kevin Porter Jr., Kelly Olynyk, PJ Tucker, Jae’Sean Tate, Eric Gordon, Khyri Thomas, Danuel House Jr., Armoni Brooks, Sterling Brown, Avery Bradley, David Nwaba, Kenyon Martin, DaQuan Jeffries, DeMarcus Cousins, DJ Augustin, Justin Patton, Ben McLemore, Anthony Lamb, D.J. Wilson, Mason Jones, Ray Spalding, Rodions Kurucs, Brodric Thomas, and Bruno Caboclo.

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