HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- When the Rockets play their first back-to-back of the season on Friday and Saturday, they are likely to be without center Christian Wood, head coach Stephen Silas announced on Thursday.
"He didn't practice today," Silas said after the Rockets finished Thursdays' practice inside Toyota Center. "It's not looking good, and I'd be surprised if he played over the weekend."
Wood sprained his ankle late in the second quarter of the Rockets 109-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. He returned to the game after halftime, despite being advised not to, and scored 15 of his 20 points, but admitted his ankle was swelling after the game.
"I was hurting the whole second half," Wood said. I felt like my team needed me and my team needed to win this game, so I have to sacrifice for my team and whether it's my body or my or shots or points or anything like that I feel like my team needs me on the floor."
In his first year with the Rockets, Wood is averaging 23.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in 33.6 minutes. Silas said DeMarcus Cousins would start at center for the Rockets Friday night in Detroit if Wood can't play, but against Kristaps Porzingis and the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday the Rockets may start the game without a center.
"We're just going to have to figure it out," Silas said before taking a deep breath. "As we've been doing all season, we're taking it game-by-game."