Before the All-Star break, the expectation was that Houston Rockets forward David Nwaba would have surgery on his ailing right wrist, which would sideline the veteran defensive stopper for about six weeks.
That hasn’t yet happened, with Nwaba and the Rockets attempting to exhaust all options for a non-surgical return before committing to that path. While Nwaba isn’t yet healthy, he played through the pain in limited minutes Friday to help out his reeling and short-handed team.
Head coach Stephen Silas explained before Friday’s game at Utah:
After last night’s game, Dave came up to me and was like, ‘I’m injured, but it’s hard for me to sit over there and watch when we’re so low on bodies, and we’re so decimated. And even though I’m not 100 percent, maybe I can give a little bit.’
To have that kind of character, to have that kind of attitude, is something that we need.
David Nwaba will be available tonight for the Rockets.
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) March 13, 2021
With rotation regulars such as Christian Wood, John Wall, Eric Gordon, and many more sidelined by injuries, the Rockets were down to only eight healthy players prior to Nwaba’s decision to play.
A 6-foot-5 swingman with explosive athleticism and considerable versatility on defense, Nwaba entered Friday averaging 9.4 points (49.3% FG) and 3.7 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game.
Should be added, doctors recommended wrist surgery that would have forced him to miss six weeks. Saw him attempt to shoot a few days prior after the injury. If he plays, he will be in pain. https://t.co/tJokNCRESY
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 13, 2021
