When the Houston Rockets (11-26) host Atlanta on Tuesday night, they will attempt to avoid tying a franchise record with 17 straight losses, which was set by the expansion San Diego Rockets in the 1967-68 season. Unfortunately for the short-handed group, the Rockets may not be as healthy for the game as they had hoped a few days ago.
For the first time in nearly six weeks, star center Christian Wood (left ankle sprain) is not listed as out in the team’s official injury report. That’s the good news. While his status upgrade was only from out to doubtful, it shows progress as Wood works to regain his conditioning. The news is even better for forward Danuel House Jr. (right knee contusion), who was upgraded to questionable after missing the last four games.
John Wall (left knee contusion) is still listed as out, and David Nwaba (right wrist strain) was downgraded from questionable to out. Ben McLemore (left ankle sprain) was added to the injury list with a left ankle sprain. Eric Gordon (right groin strain) and PJ Tucker (not with team, awaiting a trade) also remain sidelined with longer-term issues.
Christian Wood says he’s “real close, I’m right there” in terms of being able to return to the lineup and while he’s listed as doubtful for tomorrow night, he has not ruled out playing: “There’s a chance. I’ll just have to see how I feel tomorrow when we do shoot around.” #Astros pic.twitter.com/bKkvXI3g0l
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 15, 2021
Stephen Silas said John Wall (left knee contusion) was a limited participant at practice today.
He's out tomorrow, but there's a "little bit of hope" that Wall could play Wednesday, per Silas. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 15, 2021
Not much improvement in Rockets injury report. Christian Wood upgraded from out to doubtful. John Wall still out. Danuel House Jr. upgraded to questionable but Ben McLemore added as questionable with a sprained ankle and David Nwaba moved to out. If all out, back to 8 players.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 15, 2021
When Wood sprained his right ankle on Feb. 4 in Memphis, the Rockets were 11-10 and wrapping up a stretch in which they had won seven of eight games. Since his departure, they are 0-16, which is the longest losing streak since the franchise moved to Houston in 1971.
Among current players, Wood leads the Rockets on a per-game basis in points (22.0), rebounds (10.2), field-goal percentage (55.8%) and 3-point percentage (42.1%). Meanwhile, Wall ranks second in scoring (21.0) and first in assists (6.0). Wall is a five-time All-Star over his distinguished NBA career, while Wood was a strong candidate to earn his first All-Star nod this season before suffering the ankle injury.
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Christian Wood says he's "real close" to playing in games.
He says there's a chance he plays Tuesday, just depends how he feels after shootaround and in pregame warmups. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 15, 2021
Sterling Brown says Christian Wood is "looking great" in practice. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 15, 2021
I asked Silas about this dynamic:
"That plays a lot into it. You don't want to have a guy come off of injury and play two games, back-to-back."
That said, he said it's a possibility if someone feels good enough. #Rockets https://t.co/nAhniQHPhX
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 15, 2021