Rockets' Luc Mbah a Moute makes return in Game 1

Houston Rockets reserve forward Luc Mbah a Mouteplayed 21 minutesin Game 1 on Sunday against the Utah Jazz after missing the first round of the playoffs because of a dislocated right shoulder..

Mbah a Moute, who suffered the injury in the Rockets' April 10 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, scored 3 points and had 3 rebounds.

Mbah a Moute missed a month after dislocating his right shoulder in mid-December, but this injury was not as severe.

Mbah a Moute has provided tremendous value for the Rockets after signing for the veterans minimum during the offseason. The 10-year veteran averaged 7.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game and is a versatile defensive stopper who has been critical to the success of the Rockets' switch-heavy scheme.

Mbah a Moute's defensive rating of 101.2 points allowed per 100 possessions is the lowest of the 10 Houston players who averaged at least 20 minutes per game.