David Nwaba to miss at least six weeks for Rockets after wrist surgery

Veteran defensive ace David Nwaba will miss at least six weeks for the Houston Rockets after undergoing surgery on his ailing right wrist, head coach Stephen Silas said before Wednesday’s game. It’s an unfortunate setback for Nwaba, who had worked hard to get healthy after missing most of the NBA’s 2019-20 season due to a torn Achilles.

Silas said earlier in the week that Nwaba had injured his wrist during a dunk in Sunday’s loss to Memphis. A 6-foot-5 swingman with explosive athleticism and considerable versatility on defense, Nwaba has averaged 9.4 points (49.3% FG) and 3.7 rebounds in 22.6 minutes.

With Nwaba sidelined, the Rockets could potentially reinsert reserve guard Ben McLemore into his rotation spot. McLemore is nowhere near the defensive presence of Nwaba, but he’s a better 3-point shooter.

Now 28 years old, Nwaba’s contract expires after the 2020-21 season. However, the Rockets will have Early Bird contract rights to help retain him, if they desire, since he was signed late in the 2019-20 campaign. Thus, he’s technically in his second season with the Rockets.

Six weeks from early March puts Nwaba’s potential return date in mid-to-late April, which should allow him to play in at least some games before the 2020-21 regular season concludes in mid-May. Looking ahead, Nwaba’s uncertain status at the time of the NBA’s upcoming March 25 trade deadline might make him more likely to stay put in Houston.

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