Houston Rockets forward Usman Garuba. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets first-round pick Usman Garuba to undergo wrist surgery, out six to eight weeks

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Jan 26, 2022 3:40 PM ET

The Houston Rockets are currently in position to finish with the worst record in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season. They received some injury news Wednesday afternoon that isn't likely to help them get out of the conference cellar.

Houston Rockets F Usman Garuba of Spain – the No. 23 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft – will undergo right wrist surgery and is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2022

Garuba hasn't suited up for Houston since getting 4:31 of playing time on Jan. 10 against the Philadelphia 76ers. After appearing in seven of the Rockets first 14 games, Garuba had been bouncing between the G-League and NBA over the past two months.

The rookie's best game in his early career came on during a Nov. 15 blowout loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, when he scored five points, grabbed six rebounds and registered two assists in nine minutes of action, while connecting on his only three-point attempt. Garuba has averaged 1.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 7.0 minutes per game in 15 contests this season.

Houston will host the Portland Trail Blazers at 8 p.m. ET on Friday.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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