Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is expected to miss the start of the team’s first-round series with his strained right quad muscle.

Westbrook’s return will depend upon how he responds to treatment, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.

These injuries can be particularly difficult for someone like Westbrook who plays with so much force, Wojnarowski notes.

There will be less time between playoff games in Orlando, which could possibly mean more games missed.

Westbrook was previously ruled out of the Rockets’ last “seeding game” on Aug. 14 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Rockets just got Eric Gordon back from injury and he along with Austin Rivers will be asked to step up without Westbrook.

More pressure and the majority of the scoring will be placed on James Harden going forward.

The Rockets take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of playoffs next week.