NBA: Rockets Center Steven Adams has season-ending ankle surgery

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing successful surgery on his left ankle, the team announced Wednesday.

Adams shared the news on his Instagram account, writing, “All went well. Grateful for all your thoughts and prayers.” The team confirmed that the surgery was successful and that Adams is expected to make a full recovery.

The Rockets had already listed Adams out for Wednesday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sprained left ankle. Head coach Ime Udoka revealed on January 20 that Adams had sustained a Grade 3 left ankle sprain and would be out indefinitely.

The 32-year-old had not played since the injury occurred during a 119-110 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans on January 18. This season, Adams has averaged 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 22.8 minutes across 32 games, including 11 starts. Houston currently leads the NBA in rebounding, averaging 49 per game through Tuesday.

Adams signed a three-year, $39 million fully guaranteed contract extension with the Rockets in June 2025. Originally brought in as a backup for All-Star center Alperen Sengun, Adams has experience as a primary starter earlier in his career.

Over his career, Adams has appeared in 796 regular-season games (655 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2013-20), New Orleans Pelicans (2020-21), Memphis Grizzlies (2021-23), and Houston Rockets (2024-26), averaging 8.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 25.7 minutes per game. He missed the 2023-24 season due to injury.

A native of New Zealand, Adams was selected 12th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Thunder out of the University of Pittsburgh. -Field Level Media/Reuters