Houston Rockets centre Steven Adams will not return for the remainder of the NBA season after undergoing surgery on his left ankle. The New Zealand player sustained the injury during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 19, forcing him off the court with assistance as he was unable to bear weight on the leg. The incident raises concerns for the Rockets as they maintain their position in the Western Conference.
Details of Injury and Immediate Response
Adams injured his ankle while attempting to block a layup late in the game. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka provided an update after the match, describing the injury as involving significant swelling and pain but confirmed no broken bones or high ankle sprain.
“Nothing broken, not a high ankle sprain, not sure about anything as far as time wise but quite a bit of swelling and pain and obviously couldn’t put much weight on it,”
Udoka said.
Recovery and Surgery Confirmation
Following the injury, Adams underwent surgery to address the damage, confirming that he will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA season. The 32-year-old posted on social media,
“All went well. Grateful for all your thoughts and prayers.”
Injury History and Impact on Season
This latest setback continues Adams’ challenging season, as he previously missed several games due to a right ankle injury. Additionally, he was sidelined for the entire 2023-24 season with a knee injury. Despite these setbacks, the Rockets remain competitive, holding fourth place in the Western Conference as they await Adams’ absence to be resolved in the offseason.
