Starting center Christian Wood (right ankle sprain) is probable to play in Friday’s home game versus Orlando, while point guard Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh contusion) is questionable, according to the official injury report issued late Thursday by the Houston Rockets.
Both players left Wednesday’s victory early in Oklahoma City. Neither injury appeared initially concerning, since each player attempted to return to the game in the second quarter after initially suffering the injury in the first. However, both players lacked their usual explosion after returning, and both were ruled out coming out of the halftime break.
In both cases, the injury could be more a bit more concerning because it’s something that has previously caused a multi-game absence. Porter has had off-and-on issues with his thigh since he first bruised it on Nov. 7 at Golden State, and he missed three games to rest the injury late last month. Meanwhile, for Wood, it’s the same right ankle that caused him to miss several weeks after a sprain during the 2020-21 season.
However, at least for now, it appears that Houston isn’t too concerned by their current injuries. Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Wood’s ankle sprain is not considered serious, though there is some concern that Porter might need to miss some time after re-aggravating the thigh bruise.
#Rockets Injury/Status Report:
Jalen Green (Out – Left Hamstring Strain)
Usman Garuba (Out – Right Thigh Contusion)
Kevin Porter Jr. (Questionable – Left Thigh Contusion)
John Wall (Out)
Christian Wood (Probable – Right Ankle Sprain)— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) December 2, 2021
“Porter has amazed Rockets’ staffers with his toughness in playing through that injury,” MacMahon tweeted on Thursday.
Friday’s tipoff between the Rockets (5-16) and Magic (5-18) is set for 7:00 p.m. Central. Houston enters on a four-game winning streak.
If Porter is unable to play, that could mean more playing time in the backcourt for reserve guards like Armoni Brooks, rookie Josh Christopher, and veteran DJ Augustin — who now appears to be cleared following a brief stint in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
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There is some concern that Houston PG Kevin Porter Jr. will need to miss some time after aggravating thigh contusion that sidelined him for a few games recently. Porter has amazed Rockets staffers with his toughness in playing through that injury.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 2, 2021
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