The Houston Rockets are worried that star center Christian Wood could be ruled out for a long time after injuring his right ankle for the second time in less than three weeks, sources told ESPN.
Wood will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of the injury he suffered when he rolled his ankle terribly during the third quarter of Thursday’s 115-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, according to a source.
“I don’t know,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas said of the seriousness of the injury. “It didn’t look great. It was unfortunate.”
Wood, who established himself as an All-Star candidate with an average of 22.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in his first season with the Rockets, missed three games after turning his right ankle on January 20.
Wood injured his ankle while driving in the transition lane against the Grizzlies. He landed awkwardly as he separated Memphis defenders Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant, immediately into agony.
After getting to his feet, Wood limped slowly from the floor during the ensuing exhalation. He returned to the field to try free throws from a foul on Morant, but John Wall and other teammates persuaded Wood to leave the game. He limped off the floor with the help of his teammates and was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair.
“It was hard for me,” Silas said. “I had to like to sit down, gather my thoughts and gather. As good as he played, I mean, just like a breakout season and doing everything we had to do. “Yes, it sucks.”