Houston Rockets star Christian Wood, who is receiving the All-Star consideration this season, left Thursday’s game at Memphis after rolling the same right ankle that caused him to miss three games in January.
Wood was tainted in a transition game by Grizzlies keeper Ja Morant, and when he went down, he hit the floor in pain. After Wood remained a big part of the timeout, Wood initially tried to stay in the game to shoot the free throw as it would not be disqualified. But Wood’s teammates told him about the idea and he limped to the tunnel – where a wheelchair was waiting for him.
In the 20 minutes against the Grizzlies, Wood had 17 points (70% FG) and 7 rebounds when Houston had a 21-point lead when he left. For the 2020-21 season, the 25-year-old big man entered Thursday with an average of 22.3 points (55.3% FG) and 10.4 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game, including 39.7% on three points. Everyone is career highlights.
Wood’s injury comes at a terrible time for the rising Rockets (10-10), who entered with six wins in six of their last seven games on Thursday.
Houston’s next game comes at home to San Antonio on Saturday. Since Wood has been pulled down and that it appears to be an aggravation of a previous injury, it will be a surprise if he can return quickly. “I do not know,” Silas said. “It did not look good.”