Six weeks before 2023-24 training camp opens, newly signed Houston Rockets center Jock Landale injured his left ankle while playing for Australian Boomers’ 2023 FIBA World Cup team.
The injury occurred in Thursday’s World Cup warmup game vs. South Sudan in Melbourne. Brian Goorjian, head coach of the Boomers, said postgame that it “didn’t look great” and that Landale would soon get an MRI, per ESPN’s Australian reporter, Olgun Uluc.
Landale came into Thursday’s game coming off a right ankle injury, but turned his left ankle after landing on the foot of Marial Shayok in the first period. He immediately clutched his ankle in pain, before hobbling straight to the locker room, unable to put significant pressure on his left foot.
With injuries to both ankles, it appears highly likely the 27-year-old Landale will miss all of Australia’s upcoming World Cup games.
The bigger question is his availability to the Rockets for 2023-24 training camp, which opens in early October. Six weeks should offer significant time to rest, but whether that’s enough to let those injuries fully heal will largely depend on MRI results, which are pending.
Should Landale not be available to start the 2023-24 NBA season, Houston’s other interior options behind starter Alperen Sengun could involve veteran Jeff Green or playing Jabari Smith Jr. more minutes at center, as he did in the recently completed 2023 summer league.
Rockets center Jock Landale reportedly suffered a "serious ankle injury" in Australia's game today. He turned his left ankle after landing on an opponent's foot. He was in pain, hobbled straight to the locker room and was unable to put pressure on it. https://t.co/32AfqCVJJW
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) August 17, 2023
