Jeremy Lin to Return From Back Injury, Expected to Play Bigger Role for Houston Rockets

Jeremy Lin is expected to make his NBA comeback on Monday when the Houston Rockets collide with the Dallas Mavericks at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Lin, who missed the Rockets' last four games, will make his return from back spasms as confirmed by Fox Sports' Mark Berman through his Twitter account.

"I'll be good for tomorrow. I can't wait to play. It's been a long time. I'm excited to get back," Lin told Berman after Sunday's practice.

The 25-year-old point guard is averaging 14.3 points and 4.2 assists per game this season, but he tallied just 6.5 points in his last two games before hurting his back.

Lin's production is expected to improve, however, after starting point guard Patrick Beverley was ruled out for the next four to six weeks after sustaining a fractured fourth metacarpal of his right hand during their 114-97 win against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.

Lin, who has only started in eight games this season due to coach Kevin McHale's decision to go with a more-defensive minded starting unit, has played well in games without Beverley this season.

Beverley missed three games earlier in the season due to a torn muscle in his midsection and Lin stepped up as he averaged 16.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals in those three games.

Lin is expected to start for the Rockets while Beverley is out and will share minutes with veteran point guard Aaron Brooks, who had a decent performance in Houston's Saturday win against the Pistons. Brooks scored 10 points and dished out seven assists in 34 minutes of playing time.

Without their starting point guard and with James Harden and Chandler Parsons bothered by injuries, McHale said that the Rockets should remain focused and play together to overcome their injury woes.

"We just have to go out there and play," McHale said in a statement via ESPN. "It does not matter how many guys we have. It does not matter who is playing or who is not playing. We just have to go there and play together and play with some toughness. Toughness and togetherness overcomes a lot of stuff."