Mike D’Antoni says virus caused Clint Capela’s poor 2019 playoff performance

Clint Capela looked little like a $90 million man last postseason, but Mike D’Antoni insists that there was more to the story than met the eye.

Speaking with the media on Saturday, the Houston Rockets head coach commented on Capela’s poor performance in the 2019 playoffs.

“Clint had a little downer towards the end because he got sick because he got a virus that got him,” said D’Antoni, per Salman Ali of HoopsHabit. “So it’s understandable, but hopefully that’ll galvanize him.”

Capela, who averaged 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game last season, went on to shrink in the postseason. It was particularly so during Houston’s second-round loss to the Golden State Warriors, where his averages sunk to 8.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.

The Rockets even reportedly considered trading Capela this offseason, but the addition of Russell Westbrook to complement the Swiss big’s high-energy style as he enters his age-25 season should hopefully be a recipe for success.