After missing 17 games with a sprained right ankle, star center Christian Wood is expected to return to Houston’s lineup when the Rockets host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night at Toyota Center. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
With Wood sidelined, the Rockets have fallen from 11-10 to 11-27, matching the longest losing streak (17) in franchise history. That mark ties the expansion San Diego Rockets of 1967-68, and the 2020-21 squad would have the record all to themselves with a loss on Wednesday.
But with Wood back in the lineup, Houston should have a better chance to fionally win. For perspective, the Rockets were 7-1 in the eight games prior to Wood’s severe ankle sprain on Feb. 4 in Memphis.
Head coach Stephen Silas said Tuesday that Wood would be on a minutes restriction once he returns, but he did not specify what it might be.
Source: Rockets big man Christian Wood is expected to return tonight vs. Warriors. Houston is 0-17 since Wood, the Rockets’ leading scorer and rebounder, went down with a sprained right ankle.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 17, 2021
Wood is averaging 22.0 points and 10.2 rebounds in 31.2 minutes per game. In a breakout year that has earned the 25-year-old consideration for both the All-Star Game and Olympics, he’s shooting 55.8% overall and 42.1% on 3-pointers. All of those numbers are best on the Rockets.
Stephen Silas says there will "for sure" be a minutes restriction on Christian Wood, once he returns. Not sure on John Wall. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 15, 2021
