The left wrist injury to Houston Rockets rookie forward Usman Garuba appears likely to keep him out of action for quite some time, head coach Stephen Silas said prior to Tuesday’s home game.
The team has yet to disclose how Garuba’s injury occurred, and he was first listed on Houston’s injury report on Monday. Per Silas, the injury was initially not believed to be serious, but it now appears to be.
“He fell,” Silas said of Garuba during his pregame comments to reporters. “I was talking to him about it. He was like, ‘Yeah, I fell, and I didn’t think it was that bad.’ But it turns out it’s pretty bad. He’s going to be out for a while. There is some talk about him needing surgery.”
Stephen Silas says Usman Garuba told him today that his injured wrist is “pretty bad.” Could need surgery. Will be out for some time. #Rockets
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 25, 2022
Garuba, a 6-foot-8 forward, has played only sparingly with the Rockets in the 2021-22 season. But the No. 23 overall pick from the first round of the 2021 NBA draft has logged more significant minutes for Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers.
Now 19 years old, Garuba has averaged 9.0 points (45.0% FG), 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes with the Vipers. While the Rockets have not ruled out a return this season, the clock is certainly ticking with the year more than halfway complete.
