Patrick Beverley could make season debut Thursday

Somebody on the Houston Rockets needs to put the “D” in head coach Mike D’Antoni’s name, and it looks like they’re getting some good news there.

D’Antoni said on Monday that guard Patrick Beverley will return to the starting lineup when he makes his season debut, which could come on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Pat Beverley will start when he returns, D'Antoni said. Thursday most likely.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 14, 2016

Beverley, 28, has been out since undergoing minor knee surgery last month.

Houston’s high-powered offense is weighed down by a defense that ranks fourth-worst in the league in terms of efficiency this season (per ESPN). Beverley, one of the NBA’s most bothersome one-on-one defenders, should help them boost that ranking, especially considering the fresh chip he has on his shoulder.

Image Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports