Steven Adams Injury Update: What Happened to Steven Adams?
Houston, Sunday night, January 18, 2026, turned anxious for the Houston Rockets when veteran center Steven Adams went down in the fourth quarter of their 119-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center.
Contesting a Zion Williamson layup, Adams landed awkwardly on his left leg, immediately grabbed at his ankle, and couldn’t put weight on it before being helped straight to the locker room.
@ESPNNBA shared on X that Steven Adams appeared to injure his knee during the Pelicans–Rockets game and was carried off to the locker room.
He’d quietly done his usual workmanlike job to that point: five points on 2-of-3 shooting, 10 rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes, anchoring the glass and the interior defense.
Initial postgame word from head coach Ime Udoka was cautiously positive: “Sprained ankle. Lots of swelling already. Nothing broken. Not a high ankle sprain,” he told reporters, noting the big man would need further testing to pin down a timetable. @BinkleyHoops shared on X that Ime confirmed Steven Adams has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and is dealing with swelling, with no fractures or broken bones reported.
Steven Adams Injury Details
Over the past three seasons, Adams has dealt with a long list of mostly lower-body issues that have shaped how teams manage his minutes.
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January 2023: Suffered a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sprain in his right knee with Memphis; ultimately required stem‑cell treatment and then surgery, costing him the remainder of the 2022‑23 season and the entire 2023‑24 campaign.
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October 2023–April 2024: Officially ruled out for the full 2023‑24 season after PCL surgery.
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2024-25 with Houston: Recurrent right knee listings on the injury report through October–December 2024, followed by multiple ankle designations (December 18, 2024 and through February–March 2025), plus a head issue on January 20, 2025 and a wrist injury in late March.
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2025-26: Hip issue on November 4, 2025 and further ankle listings into December, before this latest left ankle sprain against New Orleans.
It’s a heavy history, which is why Houston had already been load‑managing him on back‑to‑backs.
When Will Steven Adams Return?
Right now, Houston hasn’t put an official timetable on Adams’ latest ankle sprain. Udoka has only confirmed that imaging showed no fracture and that medical staff have ruled out a high‑ankle sprain, with swelling the main short‑term concern.
That’s meaningful, because a true high‑ankle sprain can push recovery beyond a month, while more moderate sprains often fall into the one‑to‑three‑week window depending on pain tolerance and stability.
Given Adams’ mileage, his prior right‑knee surgery and the volume of ankle issues logged over the past 18 months, it’s unclear if Houston will rush him back for the upcoming homestand or lean conservative and keep Clint Capela and the smaller, switch‑heavier groups in place.
Until the next official injury report drops before the Rockets’ next game at Toyota Center, his status should be treated as very much up in the air.
Steven Adams Career Stats with Houston Rockets
Regular-season stat lines with Houston so far have been small-sample but reflect his familiar profile as a screen‑setter, rebounder and paint defender. (League sites split Memphis/Houston totals, so only Rockets‑tagged numbers are included.)
|
Field |
Value |
|---|---|
|
Season |
2024-25 |
|
Team |
Houston Rockets |
|
GP |
3 |
|
MPG |
17 |
|
PPG |
5.7 |
|
RPG |
7.7 |
|
APG |
1.0 |
|
FG% |
50.0 |
|
FT% |
58.2 |
|
BPG |
0.5 |
|
Notes |
First games back post-PCL surgery, limited bench role. |
Impact on Houston Rockets Lineup
Adams’ exit against the Pelicans immediately forced Houston to downshift: Dorian Finney‑Smith closed the game, with Clint Capela the obvious candidate for a bigger traditional‑center role if Adams misses time.
Adams had been a key part of why the Rockets sit near the top of the league in rebounding, especially on the offensive glass, and losing that presence changes their identity on both ends.
Without him, Houston leans more on Capela’s rim protection and vertical spacing, while Finney‑Smith, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason soak up extra frontcourt minutes in smaller, switch‑heavy lineups.
Disclaimer:
This Steven Adams injury update is based on currently available news and team reports and may change as new information is released. It does not constitute medical advice; fans should rely on official Rockets announcements and trusted league sources for final confirmation.
