Rollin’ in Memphis: Rockets Lose Wood to Injury Again, Tame Grizzlies, 115-103
Wooden History. Unbreakable Wall. 4/11.
Houston just can’t catch a break. The Rockets dominated the Grizzlies on Thursday night, 115-103, but the win didn’t come without a price. Christian Wood, having a breakout season for Houston, re-injured the same ankle that caused him to miss three games earlier in the season. This injury looked worse, and Wood’s expected to miss significant time, although no official word has leaked yet on when Houston’s star big man could possibly return. It’s unfortunate, as Wood was on his way to yet another double-double, garnering 17 points and 7 boards in only 20 minutes of action, before suffering the nasty sprain. Hopefully, the injury’s not as severe as it appeared to be in live action, as Wood is central to the Rockets success this season. Regardless, it’s a sight for sore eyes to see a long, lanky big-man already developing an injury history. Prayers up that this is the last of Wood’s misfortunes on the court. Without the leading candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player, Houston’s certainly lacking one of their most powerful weapons for the next few games. Luckily, this Rockets team is sneakily one of the deepest in the league.
John Wall returned after resting the previous night to out-duel Ja Morant, holding last year’s Rookie of the Year to only 15 points. Wall also led Houston’s balanced scoring attack, with 22 points, and dished out 8 dimes, as the Rockets improved to 6-0 when Wall plays after the James Harden trade, and 7-0 when Wall plays and Harden doesn’t, going back to before the exchange. Houston will only rely on Wall’s talents even more, as Wood’s absence will require everyone on the squad to step up during his recovery period. And Jae’Sean Tate had his best offensive game of his career, blasting off for a career-high 19 points while bringing the usual intensity and energy. Despite losing Wood for at least a few games, the Rockets star point guard proved on Thursday night he’s the leader this Houston squad needs, a much more mature, vocal guide than the Rockets’ previous “leader”, James Harden. As the Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker trade rumors continue to swirl, Houston can only hope the squad keeps winning, and can prove to their front office that no more swaps are needed.
And despite being 10th in the West standings, the Rockets are bunched up amidst a group of teams that are clustered within a couple games. Only two games separate the 4th and the 11th seed out West. Houston, in particular, is only a game behind fourth, while at the same time only one game away from the 11th seed. The Rockets are approaching a pivotal stretch where the next few contests should scramble up the parity in the standings, with Houston hoping to get scrambled near the top. Up next, the Rockets take on the Spurs for the third time already this season. Houston went 1-1 in their Alamo miniseries earlier in the season. Hopefully, the third time’s the charm, and the Rockets can boost ahead of the Spurs in the standings, and for the time being… catch a little break.