Veteran guard John Wall was an unexpected late scratch for the Houston Rockets prior to Thursday night’s game at Sacramento after suffering a contusion to his left knee during the previous day’s practice. His status for Friday’s game in Salt Lake City is not yet clear.
The Rockets didn’t know the severity of the issue when it happened. In comments after Wednesday’s practice, head coach Stephen Silas indicated that the plan was for Wall to play in both ends of the road back-to-back on Thursday in Sacramento and Friday in Utah.
Wall has only played in both games of one back-to-back this season, so the team’s plan to use him on consecutive nights indicated that there was no concern with his health, at that time. But the Rockets added him to their injury report on Thursday afternoon as “questionable.”
In pregame comments, Silas said Wall was kneed in the side of his knee during one of the last plays of Houston’s scrimmage at Wednesday’s practice. Wall then woke up Thursday with soreness and stiffness.
A five-time All-Star, Wall is averaging 21.0 points and 6.0 assists in 31.7 minutes per game this season. He was replaced in Thursday’s lineup by veteran guard Eric Gordon, who played despite being listed as questionable with left knee soreness. Houston (11-23) entered on a 13-game losing streak, which is the longest by the franchise in over 20 years.
Coach Silas says Wall was kneed in the side of his knee in one of their last plays of their scrimmage yesterday at practice. He woke up with soreness and stiffness.
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) March 12, 2021
