Houston Rockets' Tari Eason 'Shut Down' Two-to-Three Weeks With Leg Injury
HOUSTON — Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka announced Sunday afternoon that second-year forward Tari Eason will be "shut down" for two-to-three weeks due to a "stress reaction" in his left leg. Eason missed the final three preseason games due to the injury.
According to Udoka, the Rockets plan to slowly handle Eason's recovery process. If Eason is out for the full three weeks, he could miss the first nine games of the 2023-24 season, which will begin Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic.
"He is in the rehab stage," Udoka said. "After two weeks, we will get him checked out. If he plays on it, eventually it could become a fracture. We caught it early when he started feeling pain. So we are shutting him down to get the rehab in."
Rockets forward Tari Eason attempts to defend against a shot by Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney.
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Eason was one of 10 players in the league who played all 82 games during the 2022-23 season. He finished his rookie year averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 21.5 minutes, which led to him joining Jabari Smith Jr. as one of five players named to the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team selection.
Eason's name is already in the company of a pair of all-time greats when he became the third rookie to tally 80 or more steals and 40 or more blocks since the 1980-81 season — joining James Worthy and Scottie Pippen.
Eason displayed his second-year potential during the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League Tournament. He helped the Rockets begin their summer league domination by winning their first two games, averaging 23.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
The Rockets drafted Eason with the No. 17 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft. After a successful rookie season, Eason will play a vital role in contributing to the Rockets' production off the bench once fully healthy.
