Rockets center Christian Wood has begun performing select on-court activities, according to Houston head coach Stephen Silas, who hinted on Friday that Wood’s return could come soon after the NBA’s upcoming All-Star break from March 4 through March 10.
“He looked better today,” Silas said before Friday’s game versus Toronto. “He was doing some things on the court, maybe [at] like half-speed. I don’t know where things will go from 50 percent to 100 percent, and how long that takes, but we’re moving him in the right direction. It’s going to be important over the break for him to continue his progress.”
Earlier in the interview, Silas said he was hopeful that Wood’s return would come “sooner than later.” The Rockets (11-19) entered Friday at 0-9 since Wood sprained his right ankle on Feb. 4, which makes for quite a contrast relative to their 7-1 run in the eight previous games.
Now 25 years old, Wood is averaging 22.0 points and 10.2 rebounds in 31.2 minutes per game in the 2020-21 season. In a breakout year that has earned the 6-foot-10 big man consideration for both the All-Star Game and Olympics, he’s shooting 55.8% overall and 42.1% on 3-pointers.
Last weekend, Silas said Wood was still “a ways away” and not doing any work at practices. Thus, Friday’s update suggests progress.
Stephen Silas’ update on Christian Wood: pic.twitter.com/hHu9uB4s4r
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 26, 2021
