Second-year guard Chris Clemons is expected to miss the entire 2020-21 NBA season due to a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in Tuesday’s exhibition versus San Antonio, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Rockets are thin at point guard behind starter John Wall, and the loss of Clemons could force Houston to look elsewhere to fill that role.
Yet, the prospect of further roster additions is now more complicated, since the Rockets are likely on the hook for Clemons’ full $1.5-million salary — assuming it is deemed a long-term injury. Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Rockets are only about $1 million below their hard salary cap, which was triggered by the sign-and-trade acquisition of Christian Wood.
Clemons’ salary for the 2020-21 season had yet to be guaranteed.
Initial diagnosis on Rockets guard Chris Clemons is a torn right Achilles tendon, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. MRI on Wednesday morning to confirm.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 16, 2020
On a $1.5M non-guaranteed contract but Houston would be on the hook this season if this is a long term injury. The Rockets right now are $1M under the hard cap. https://t.co/doR4FbJnH8
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) December 16, 2020
Clemons had just made a 3-pointer before his foot appeared to give out on him on the defensive end. He was immediately taken off in a wheelchair, indicating that the Rockets knew it was a severe injury.
Per Charania, the 5-foot-9 guard will have an MRI on Wednesday morning to confirm the extent of the injury.
“Really unfortunate,” head coach Stephen Silas said postgame. Silas said he did not yet have an official update on the injury.
Chris Clemons taken off the court in a wheelchair. Initial diagnosis is a torn right Achilles.
Prayers up for the young guy 🙏 pic.twitter.com/CwwORQhTY0
— Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) December 16, 2020
