Steven Adams (right) played in just 32 games this season but was efficient in offensive rebounding. Alex Goodlett / Getty Images
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has undergone season-ending surgery on his left ankle, a team source confirmed to The Athletic.
The loss comes as a tough blow for the Rockets, who went into the season hoping to utilize Adams as a major part of their identity as a big, bruising team that dominates opponents on the offensive glass.
Adams, 32, was having one of his best seasons in recent memory after recovering from a knee injury that limited him to 100 games over the previous three seasons. Adams was No. 4 in offensive rebounds despite playing just 22.8 minutes per game before his injury, which occurred in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 18.
The Rockets were on pace to put up historic offensive rebounding numbers with Adams performing as well as he did. Now the Rockets must rely on Clint Capela to be the backup center behind star center Alperen Şengün.
The Rockets currently hold a 28-16 record, which puts them one game behind the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the loss column. With the NBA trade deadline coming on Feb. 5, the Rockets could seek more frontcourt depth in the trade market. However, they’ve expressed confidence in what Capela can bring to the rotation.
Adams signed a three-year, $39 million extension last summer, which will keep him under contract for the next two seasons. Adams will have to deal with another extended rehabilitation process to recover from this ankle injury after his long battle to put his knee issues behind him. Adams averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 50.4 percent from the field in 32 games this season.
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