The Houston Rockets will be without Steven Adams for the rest of the season.
Adams underwent season-ending surgery on his left ankle on Wednesday, according toESPN's Shams Charania. Adams had already been out indefinitely with the sprained ankle, though there was no timetable provided for him to return.
Adams went down in the team's win over the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this month. He was trying to guard Zion Williamson at the rim, but Adams immediately grabbed his left ankle after landing back down on the court from contesting a shot. He crashed to the floor and had to be helped off the court back to the locker room.
Steven Adams appeared to have injured his leg and had to be helped back to the locker room —Prayers up. 🙏(h/t@nbabzyy)pic.twitter.com/BYSk5Wqe0v
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral)January 19, 2026
Rockets coach Ime Udoka initially said that Adams had a "severely sprained ankle," but that nothing was broken. While specifics aren't known, the injury was clearly something Adams wasn't going to be able to recover from quickly.
Adams has averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in Houston this season, his second with the team. Clint Capela has largely stepped in to replace Adams in his absence behind starter Alperen Şengün.
Adams is now the second major injury the Rockets are dealing with this season. They are also without point guard Fred VanVleet, who went down with a torn ACL during a workout in September.
Houston currently holds a 28-16 record entering Wednesday night's game with the San Antonio Spurs. While they are in fourth in the Western Conference standings, they are just two games back from the Spurs in second place.
