Houston will be without Ray Spalding for the foreseeable future due to an Achilles injury, which the third-year center suffered Monday in Washington during just his second game with the Rockets. The injury’s severity was not immediately disclosed and is pending further tests.
Spalding had played with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers — Houston’s NBA G League affiliate organization — for portions of the last two seasons. After playing well to start the 2020-21 campaign, he was called up to the Rockets before Saturday’s game in New York.
It was brutal timing for Spalding, who hadn’t played in an NBA regular-season game since the 2018-19 season, his first as a professional. For the Rockets, it’s the latest in a long run of unfortunate setbacks.
Christian Wood (right ankle sprain), Victor Oladipo (right foot strain), PJ Tucker (left thigh contusion), and Eric Gordon (sore right groin) are among rotation regulars who are currently absent for the Rockets. Not coincidentally, Houston (11-16) has now lost six straight games.
Ray Spalding will not return (Achilles injury).
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) February 16, 2021
Newly signed Ray Spalding being escorted off the floor. Something to do with his right leg. pic.twitter.com/0vMUu18A2X
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 16, 2021
