The Houston Rockets are hopeful that injured starters John Wall (left knee soreness) and Christian Wood (right ankle sprain) will be able to return in time for next Tuesday’s home game versus Washington.
Wall last played on Jan. 12, while Wood rolled his ankle during Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix. In their absence, Eric Gordon is starting in the backcourt and DeMarcus Cousins at center.
The updated timetable, which was delivered by head coach Stephen Silas before Friday’s game in Detroit, would mean that Saturday’s game in Dallas is the last game for either player to miss.
Stephen Silas says he remains hopeful John Wall and Christian Wood will be back for the home game Tuesday against Washington. Also says Danuel House should be back “sooner rather than later.” pic.twitter.com/0m361vJDd8
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 22, 2021
Wood has been Houston’s most reliable player in the 2020-21 season to date, averaging 23.5 points (52.8% FG) and 10.8 rebounds in 33.6 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Wall — a five-time All-Star in previous seasons — is averaging 18.6 points and 5.1 assists per game on a career-high 45.4% shooting clip. For a Houston squad that is now 4-9 and losers of five of their last six, their imminent returns are much needed.
Entering Friday, the Rockets were 1-5 this season in the six games that Wall had missed due to injury or a mandatory quarantine.
Silas did not offer a targeted return date for small forward Danuel House Jr., who has also missed significant time in recent weeks while in the league’s new health and safety protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he expressed optimism that it would not take too much longer, with the team hopeful of learning more information when they return to Houston after Saturday’s game. “Sooner rather than later,” Silas said.
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