Star center Christian Wood was a late scratch before Saturday night’s game at Minnesota with right ankle soreness. It’s the same right ankle that Wood has sprained twice this season, including a serious injury on Feb. 4 that caused him to miss nearly six weeks of games.
Head coach Stephen Silas will update Wood’s status postgame. Because the team used the term soreness, rather than sprain, it would seem to point to the Rockets being erring on the side of caution on the second night of a back-to-back — as opposed to any sort of new injury.
Entering Saturday, the Rockets (12-32) had lost 22 of 23 games and were buried in second-to-last place in the Western Conference standings. Thus, with a playoff run virtually impossible in 2021, the team has every incentive to be cautious with injuries. That’s especially the case when it involves a rising star like Wood, who is only 25 years old.
In his first season with the Rockets, Wood is averaging 21.5 points (55.1% FG, 37.9% on 3-pointers) and 9.8 rebounds in 31.0 minutes.
Late scratch, Christian Wood is out tonight with right ankle soreness. Kelly Olynyk will start.
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) March 27, 2021
Starting in Wood’s place was newcomer Kelly Olynyk, who was acquired from Miami (along with veteran guard Avery Bradley) in Thursday’s trade sending out Victor Oladipo. A 6-foot-11 big man, the 29-year-old averaged 10.0 points and 6.1 rebounds in 26.9 minutes with the Heat.
“Kelly, he’s not just a shooter,” Silas said of Olynyk. “I think sometimes, he gets kind of put in a box as if he’s just a pick-and-pop shooter, and he can do so much more. He can put the ball on the floor, he can dribble-handoff. He creates action, and he’s a stout defender.”
Silas started Olynyk at center on Saturday alongside John Wall, Kevin Porter Jr., Sterling Brown, and Jae’Sean Tate.
Thank you Miami 🙏🏼🔥 4 years and countless memories. To the amazing fans, city and organization, thank you! My teammates, coaches and everyone involved, thank you! I’ll always remember my time in Miami. Houston we’re excited for what’s next! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/fKMgyjAXlv
— Kelly Olynyk (@KellyOlynyk) March 27, 2021
