The Houston Rockets are worried that rising star Christian Wood could be “marginalized for a long time” after he swore his ankle in Thursday’s victory in Memphis, according to ESPN Tim MacMahon. Wood seemed to be rolling his right ankle badly, which he initially sprained in mid-January after stepping on the foot of the Grizzlies Ja Morant guard.
The wood hit the floor in agony and obvious discomfort. After being stopped for most of the time, Wood initially tried to stay in the game to throw free throws, as not shooting them would disqualify him. But Wood’s teammates discussed the idea and headed for the tunnel – where a wheelchair was waiting for him.
According to Memphis reporters, Wood was still in a wheelchair and crutches in his hand as he exited the arena after the game.
In 20 minutes against the Grizzlies, Wood scored 17 points (70% FG) and 7 rebounds, while Houston headed for a 21-point lead at the time of his departure. For the 2020-21 season, the 25-year-old entered an average of 22.3 points (55.3% FG) and 10.4 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game on Thursday, including 39.7% at 3 points. They are all high in their careers.
Wood’s injury comes at an awful time for the Rockets (11-10), who won for the seventh time in eight games in Memphis.
The next game in Houston comes home against San Antonio on Saturday. Given that Wood was taken off the wheels and appeared to be a worsening of a previous injury, it would be a surprise if he can return quickly. “I don’t know,” Silas said postgame. “It didn’t look great.”
“It was hard for me,” Silas said. “I had to sit down, gather my thoughts and gather. As good as he played, a breakout season and he did everything he had to do. … Yes, it sucks. ”
MacMahon reports that Wood will on Friday he undergoes an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, along with a potential return schedule.