Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore to miss weeks with LCL sprain in right knee

Promising rookie Cam Whitmore sprained the LCL in his right knee, according to the Rockets, and could miss about three weeks of action.

Despite Houston’s impressive 4-1 record in March, the relatively serious injuries suffered by Alperen Sengun (severe right ankle sprain) and Tari Eason (left tibia surgery) have dominated headlines.

Add one more name to a growing list of injured Rockets.

Rookie wing Cam Whitmore missed Tuesday’s game in San Antonio with a sprain to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee. The team expects Whitmore to miss about three weeks of action, though head coach Ime Udoka said Tuesday it could be a shorter timetable, depending on how Whitmore’s knee responds.

Veteran wing Reggie Bullock Jr., who has played sparingly this season, could be next in line to fill some of Whitmore’s minutes. Another candidate for that role could be Nate Williams.

Drafted at No. 20 in the NBA’s 2023 first round, Whitmore has provided sorely needed scoring punch off Houston’s bench.

An athletic and powerful force at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, Whitmore is averaging 14.9 points (45.4% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers) and 4.6 rebounds in just 20.1 minutes over his last 19 games played.

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