Season stats: 2025-26. Updated 7 h ago.
Steven Adams Out for Rockets After Season-Ending Left Ankle Surgery
newsroom · 1 h agoSteven Adams will not play for the Rockets in 2026-27. Houston announced Wednesday that the veteran center had left ankle surgery, per Shams Charania of ESPN, and he is currently listed day-to-day with an estimated return date of October 1, 2026. Houston opens the season without him in the middle of the rotation.
The Injury Report
Steven Adams is dealing with a left ankle injury. The Rockets announced Wednesday that he has undergone season-ending left ankle surgery, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. His current status is listed as day-to-day, with an estimated return date of October 1, 2026. The most recent entry on his injury log, dated September 6, 2026, lists the issue as an ankle and leg injury on his left side. That is the only injury note on file for him right now, and it is the headline story around him heading into the 2026-27 season.
Where He Fits on the Roster
Adams wears number 12 for the Rockets and plays center. He stands 6-foot-11 and weighs 265 pounds. He is 33 years old and enters his 13th NBA season, having come up through the University of Pittsburgh. Houston is his team for the 2026-27 season. At his size and experience level, he has typically served as a rebounding and interior presence rather than a scoring option, and the roster will need to account for his absence while he recovers from the ankle procedure.
Last Season by the Numbers
In 2025-26, Adams appeared in 32 games for Houston, averaging 22.8 minutes. He put up 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, with 1.1 turnovers. He shot 50.4 percent from the field, did not convert a three-pointer (0.0 percent), and made 58.0 percent of his free throws. His true shooting mark was 53.5 percent on an 11.6 percent usage rate. His plus-minus for the season was plus-6.1, a solid on-court mark for a low-usage big man.
A Look Back at the Game Log
One game from last season stands out in his log: on October 21, 2025, against Oklahoma City, Adams played 36.5 minutes in a loss. He finished with 4 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists, and posted a plus-minus of plus-2.0. The rebounding number lines up with his role last season as a low-scoring, high-effort presence on the glass, even in a game where his own team came up short.
What's Next for Houston's Frontcourt
With Adams sidelined by season-ending ankle surgery and a listed return estimate of October 1, 2026, the Rockets will open the 2026-27 season without him available in the middle. There are no trade rumors on file involving Adams right now. For now, the story is his recovery timeline and how Houston manages its center rotation until, and if, he is able to return to the floor this season.
Questions fans ask
Is Steven Adams playing for the Rockets this season?
No. The Rockets announced he underwent season-ending left ankle surgery. He is currently listed day-to-day with an estimated return date of October 1, 2026.
What injury does Steven Adams have?
A left ankle injury. Houston announced he had season-ending left ankle surgery, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
What team does Steven Adams play for and what number does he wear?
He plays center for the Houston Rockets and wears number 12.
What were Steven Adams' stats last season?
In 2025-26 with Houston, he averaged 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks in 22.8 minutes across 32 games, shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 58.0 percent from the line.
How old is Steven Adams and how much NBA experience does he have?
He is 33 years old and is entering his 13th NBA season. He played college basketball at Pittsburgh.
Are there any trade rumors involving Steven Adams?
None reported at this time.
Game log
last 1| Date | Opp | Result | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | FG | 3P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 21 | at OKC | L 124-125 | 37 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 1-4 | 0-0 | +2 |