The Houston Rockets just took a tough hit to their frontcourt depth - and their locker room leadership - with the news that veteran center Steven Adams will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Adams underwent season-ending surgery on his left ankle, according to reports. The injury occurred back on January 18 during a home game against the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a night that also saw Kevin Durant climb into sixth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, passing Dirk Nowitzki - but the celebration was dampened when Adams went down in the fourth quarter.
The play itself was routine - Adams leapt to contest a floater from Zion Williamson, but landed awkwardly on his left foot and immediately crumpled to the hardwood. Trainers helped him off the floor, and while head coach Ime Udoka initially labeled it a sprain, further evaluation revealed it was far more serious.
Now, the Rockets will have to navigate the rest of the season without one of their most reliable and rugged contributors.
Let’s be clear: Adams isn’t the kind of player who fills up a box score. But his value to this Rockets team goes far beyond stats.
He’s the guy who does the dirty work - setting bone-rattling screens, boxing out for offensive boards, and anchoring the paint with his physical presence. In a league that’s increasingly perimeter-oriented, Adams brings a throwback toughness that every contender needs.
Offensively, his impact is felt most in the little things. Watch a Rockets possession closely, and you’ll see how Adams’ screens free up Kevin Durant for clean looks or how his offensive rebounding creates second-chance opportunities. He doesn’t need touches to influence the game - his work in the trenches creates space and rhythm for the stars around him.
Defensively, Adams is a stabilizer. Houston’s roster is loaded with long, switchable wings, and having a reliable anchor in the middle allows those players to take more risks on the perimeter. Whether he’s sharing the floor with Alperen Sengun or holding down the paint solo, Adams brings structure to Houston’s defensive schemes.
This was Adams’ second season in Houston and his 12th in the league. The New Zealand native has long been respected as one of the NBA’s most physical and unselfish big men - a player who understands his role and executes it with consistency. His absence leaves a noticeable void not just in the rotation, but in the team’s identity.
At 28-16, the Rockets currently sit fourth in the Western Conference standings. They’ve been one of the league’s more balanced teams this season, blending veteran savvy with young athleticism and defensive grit.
But losing Adams tests that balance. His minutes will now have to be redistributed, and it’ll be up to Udoka and the coaching staff to find new ways to maintain the team’s edge on the glass and in the paint.
Houston’s next test comes against a familiar foe - the San Antonio Spurs - in a Southwest Division clash on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Rockets are still in strong playoff position, but as the postseason push heats up, they’ll be doing it without one of their most trusted enforcers.