Houston Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore will likely miss three weeks due to a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, head coach Ime Udoka said on Tuesday.
Whitmore began to experience stiffness in his knee on Sunday in a win over the Sacramento Kings. He finished by recording 10 points and four rebounds in nearly 20 minutes of work before seeking evaluation by the team medical staff after the game.
The 20th pick will begin rehabilitation for the injury immediately. Udoka said there is a chance Whitmore could return before the three-week timetable, depending on how his knee responds to the treatment.
Cam Whitmore to miss roughly three weeks with a knee sprain, Ime Udoka said.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 12, 2024
Whitmore is averaging 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds on 36.1% shooting from 3-point range in 38 games this season with the Rockets. He has recorded four 20-point games, including a career-high 25 points and six rebounds on Feb. 2.
He started the year in the G League, logging 13 appearances with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He entered the rotation with the Rockets at the start of January and has played in every game, with the exception of three last month due to an ankle injury.
Whitmore has emerged as a key rotation player over the second half of the season. The team is also dealing with injuries to Tari Eason (leg) and Alperen Sengun (ankle) and will be further short-handed with its latest setback with Whitmore.
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