Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley out 10 to 14 days with partial muscle tear

Patrick Beverley scored five points in his first career regular season start on Wednesday. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The Houston Rockets had an impressive win in their opener, cruising to a 96-83 win over the Bobcats. But on Friday they learned they'll be without their starting point guard, Patrick Beverley, for 10 to 14 days with a partial tear of a muscle in his midsection.

The effects of the injury should be limited because of Houston's capable backup, Jeremy Lin.

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Much was made about Beverley getting the starting job over Lin, but Beverley played only 10 minutes in the opener due to the injury, and Lin, despite getting stitches on his chin, scored 16 points in 31 minutes. Beverley, the second-year man out of Arkansas who was making his first career regular season start, finished with five points.

The Rockets play host to the Mavericks on Friday before going on a three-game road trip. Based on the 10- to 14-day diagnosis for Beverley, he could miss anywhere from six to nine games.

With Lin starting, Aaron Brooks will likely see time as a backup point guard. And James Harden is expected to play Friday night despite a sore wrist and back.

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