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Shams Charania: Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has undergone season-ending surgery on his left ankle, sources tell ESPN.
But with Adams expected to miss a decent chunk of the season, Rockets officials are still weighing whether or not to add another big to the roster — whether via a trade prior to the Feb. 5 deadline or the ensuing buyout market afterward. It’s important to note Houston’s brass is merely pondering the idea right now.
Varun Shankar: Udoka says Tari Eason is close to getting off minutes restriction. Expect a longer runway for DFS as he tries to get his rhythm back. Udoka compared that situation to how they handled Steven Adams' recovery last season (Adams averaged <15mpg in each month until March).
When asked which teammate has impressed him the most, he says, " As a player, the one who has impressed me the most is Westbrook. He averaged a triple-double every game and seemed tireless. And I'd also mention Steven Adams, a great guy." Regarding rivals, " it's hard to pick just one, but Stephen Curry was impossible to defend. It didn't matter how you defended him, he was going to score. LeBron was also undefendable physically." And he fondly recalls an anecdote with LeBron James : "I have an anecdote that after a game against Cleveland, I crossed the court to greet Calderón and Lebron crossed, shook my hand and said 'good job Abrines' and I said this guy is better than Jordan, he knows my name, I mean, this is my idol now."
Jorge Sierra: How disrespected is Rudy Gobert among his peers? How about this: Steven Adams has been on roughly the same number of player All-Star ballots (around 5.8 percent) as Gobert since 2017.
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Varun Shankar: Steven Adams has a severe ankle sprain, grade 3, per Udoka. Out indefinitely.
Center Steven Adams suffered a sprained ankle during the Houston Rockets' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, Jan. 18. Adams was unable to find a good landing upon a block attempt and fell to the ground holding his leg with 9:50 left in the fourth quarter. He went back to the locker room and did not return to the game. Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters after the 119-110 victory that Adams has an ankle sprain. While he was said to have had quite a bit of swelling, the center did not suffer a broken bone.
Steven Adams Stats: “Nothing broken. Not a high ankle sprain” Best possible postgame update on Steven Adams’ ankle injury from Ime Udoka
After the game, Dillon Brooks reflected on his time in Memphis, where he played from 2017 to 2023. The Grizzlies were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference in each of his final two seasons, but they elected to move on from him. They have yet to reach those heights again, and Brooks has an opinion on why that’s the case. “I just think they moved too fast,” he said. “Especially when I was there and Des (Bane) was there and (Steven Adams) was there. I think (the Grizzlies) moved too fast, trying to be (inventive) too fast and it kind of bit them in the butt a little bit.”
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“There were times when it f—ing sucked. It was no easy road,” Adams said. “There’s a lot of pressure you put on yourself, and the rehab gets really tedious from day to day.” As Adams worked his way back, his trainers helped him focus on every detail to rebuild his knee and make sure the nagging issues that once sidelined him were a thing of the past. Adams said he even had to learn how to walk again to retrain his mind and body.
Rather than viewing Adams as an aging veteran, Udoka understood his value to the team was greater than what he could do on the court. His presence in the locker room was pivotal, and as he got healthier, having a high-IQ player with so much experience was invaluable. “He’s really good in his own way. He does it a little bit differently with his leadership style,” Udoka said. “He says it in his own way. It’s probably a cultural thing. He’s very direct and blunt. You love to have that from some of your veteran players. His leadership style is different, but it’s very valuable to the group.”
The Rockets have ruled out Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain) for Monday's game against Phoenix. Steven Adams (right ankle sprain) is questionable.
Vanessa Richardson: No Alperen Sengun vs the Cavs tonight. Steven Adams starts in his place. Tari Eason will once again start.
