Rockets' Steven Adams: Undergoes season-ending surgery
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The Rockets announced Wednesday that Adams has undergone season-ending left ankle surgery, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Adams was already viewed as out indefinitely with a Grade 3 sprain, but he officially won't be able to return during the 2025-26 campaign. The veteran big man averaged 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.8 minutes per contest through 32 games before going down, and he's under contract with Houston through the 2027-28 season. With Adams' year now over, Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith are set to split the backup center duties behind Alperen Sengun.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Out indefinitely with Grade 3 sprain
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Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said Tuesday that Adams has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 left ankle sprain and will be out indefinitely, Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network reports.
Though Adams avoided any fractures to his ankle after he was forced out of Sunday's 119-110 win over the Pelicans, he's dealing with a significant sprain that will keep him out for an extended period. The Rockets likely won't provide a target date for Adams' return until he resumes on-court work, but Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com notes that NBA players historically require at least two months to recover from Grade 3 ankle sprains. With Adams sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Rockets are likely to incorporate Clint Capela into the rotation on a more regular basis as the top backup to starting center Alperen Sengun. In 32 appearances (11 starts) so far this season, Adams has averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds across 22.8 minutes per tilt.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Ruled out for Tuesday
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Adams (ankle) won't play Tuesday against the Spurs.
Adams exited Sunday's matchup against the Pelicans with a sprained left ankle and will miss at least one additional game as a result of the injury. Clint Capela will presumably see more opportunities until Adams returns to health.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Suffers ankle sprain Sunday
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Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said after Sunday's 119-110 win over the Pelicans that Adams has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reports. He posted five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes prior to leaving the game.
Udoka relayed that preliminary tests on Adams' ankle revealed no fracture, so the veteran center appears to have avoided a worst-case scenario after being forced out of Sunday's game in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, Adams appears likely to miss time, as he was barely able to put any weight on the ankle upon suffering the injury and required assistance to the locker room. He'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the sprain. If Adams ends up missing action, Clint Capela could become a more frequent part of the rotation as a backup at center to Alperen Sengun.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Goes to locker room
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Adams exited to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Pelicans due to an apparent left leg injury, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Adams appeared to suffer the injury while attempting to block a Zion Williamson layup attempt. Adams had to be helped back to the locker room, and if he's unable to return, he would finish with five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and two assists over 27 minutes. Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela are candidates to play more in Adams' absence.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Starting Sunday
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Adams is starting Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
The Rockets have elected to move Adams into the starting five with Tari Eason (ankle) set to miss another matchup. Adams has been a strong rebounder in his last five appearances as a starter, averaging 8.8 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per game.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Omitted from injury report
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Adams (rest) is not on the injury report for Friday's game against Minnesota.
The veteran center's omission is worth noting, as he tends to sit out one half of back-to-back sets. Adams is slated to appear in two games in as many days for the first time this season, meaning Clint Capela may not see the floor at all Friday.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Reverting to bench role Sunday
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Adams won't start against the Kings on Sunday, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
With Alperen Sengun back in action following a three-game absence due to a sprained ankle, Adams will slide to the second unit. Over 18 appearances off the bench so far this season, the veteran center has averaged 5.7 points and 8.2 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per contest.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Busy in narrow defeat
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Adams accumulated seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 103-102 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Adams stuffed the stat sheet Wednesday, and he should continue to start at center for the injured Alperen Sengun (ankle) for the next few weeks. Over nine outings as a starter, Adams has averaged 9.4 rebounds, 6.9 points, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.6 minutes per game while shooting 55.8 percent from the field.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Grabs 11 boards in start
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Adams (ankle) notched eight points (4-7 FG, 0-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 31 minutes during Monday's 100-97 win over the Suns.
Adams returned to action after missing the previous two games due to an ankle injury, sliding straight into the starting lineup. With Alperen Sengun (ankle) expected to miss up to two weeks with an injury of his own, Adams looks like he could be primed to see elevated minutes for the next handful of games. With that said, Adams should be viewed as nothing more than an elite streaming option for rebounds, assuming he can stay healthy.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Available and starting Monday
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Adams (ankle) is available and starting in Monday's game against the Suns, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
Adams has missed two consecutive games with an ankle sprain, but he's good to go Monday. With Alperen Sengun (ankle) set to miss a few weeks, Adams could be set to start for the foreseeable future. Adams has averaged 6.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.7 minutes per game over seven outings as a starter this season, shooting 56.7 percent from the field.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Questionable for Monday
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Adams (ankle) is questionable for Monday's matchup with the Suns.
Adams has missed the past two games for the Rockets, but there's a chance he'll be able to get back out there Monday night. Check back for official word on Adams' status closer to Monday's tipoff at 8:00 p.m. ET.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Won't play Saturday
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Adams (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Mavericks.
Adams will end up missing a second consecutive game while recovering from a sprained right ankle, and his next chance to play is Monday against the Suns. Clint Capela stands to absorb most of the backup center minutes behind Alperen Sengun in Adams' absence.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Iffy for Saturday
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Adams is questionable for Saturday's game against Dallas due to a right ankle sprain.
Adams is at risk of missing back-to-back contests with the ankle injury. Clint Capela is slated to return from a one-game absence due to an illness, so he'd likely move into the backup center role behind Alperen Sengun if Adams is unable to suit up against the Mavericks. Dorian Finney-Smith could also get some looks at the five in small-ball lineups in this scenario.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Ruled out Thursday
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Adams (ankle) won't play in Thursday's game against the Nets, Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today reports.
After spraining his right ankle during Monday's 126-119 win over the Pacers, Adams is unable to play Thursday. The veteran big man can be deemed day-to-day for the time being. Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie could see a bump in minutes, but it may not be enough to warrant very much streaming upside.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Questionable for New Year's Day
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Adams (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Adams sprained his right ankle during the Rockets' 126-119 win over the Pacers on Monday, finishing with eight points, five rebounds and one block over 22 minutes. The injury may not prevent the veteran center from missing any time, but if he is ruled out for Thursday's game, then Clint Capela, Jeff Green and Dorian Finney-Smith would be in line for more minutes.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Downgraded to out
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Adams has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Pacers due to a right ankle sprain, Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network reports. He totaled eight points (3-4 FG, 2-6 FT), five rebounds and one block in 22 minutes prior to exiting.
Adams departed Monday's action in the third quarter, and after being evaluated further, Houston has decided to shut the big man down for the night. His availability for Thursday's game in Brooklyn is up in the air at this point.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Leaves for locker room
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Adams (undisclosed) exited to the locker room in the third quarter of Monday's game against the Pacers, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
It's unclear why Adams headed to the locker room, though he can be considered questionable to return until more information comes to light. With Alperen Sengun (calf) unavailable, Clint Capela should see increased playing time if Adams is unable to return.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Starting sans Sengun
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Adams is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers, Tanner Nichols of IE Sports Radio reports.
The veteran big man will move to the first unit due to the absence of Alperen Sengun (calf). Adams doesn't bring the same skill set as Sengun, but he's an excellent rim protector and rebounder. Adams is averaging 5.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.6 blocks per game across 23 appearances (five starts) this season.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Cleared to play
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Adams (rest) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's game against the Clippers.
Adams took a seat for Sunday's matchup with the Kings, but he'll be back in action Tuesday night. The big man is averaging 3.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals over his last five games.
