Second-year forward Tari Eason missed the final three games of Houston’s 2023-24 preseason with what the Rockets called a lower left leg contusion. Now, it appears the absence will extend well into the regular season, which starts Wednesday night in Orlando.
At Sunday’s practice, head coach Ime Udoka said recent testing indicated a more serious injury, and Eason is now expected to miss the first two-to-three weeks of the regular season.
Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:
Eason missed the final three games of the preseason with what the Rockets called a contusion. Tests after Friday’s game indicated the more serious injury, often requiring more than the two-to-three-week time frame the Rockets estimated for Eason to return.
Eason, drafted No. 17 in the 2022 first round, was one of only 10 NBA players to play all 82 games in last year’s regular season. A talented and versatile defender, Eason averaged 9.3 points (44.8% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers), 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 21.5 minutes.
With Eason sidelined, veteran forwards Jae’Sean Tate and Jeff Green appear in line to get larger roles off Houston’s bench.
Tari Eason looks to be out 2-3 weeks.
Here are @HoustonRockets Head Coach Ime Udoka's full comments on Eason's injury. pic.twitter.com/3i4AYcASRe
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 22, 2023
