There are moments when Tari Eason has to get away from everyone and sit in silence. The quietness allows Eason to remain grateful about life amid a season hindered by an ongoing leg injury.
"When the game is taken away from you, you start to put things into perspective," Eason said. "While injured and it's a struggle mentally, I'm still in the best position I've been in financially. I'm taking care of my mother, brother and grandmother. I am doing everything I wanted to do outside of basketball as a child."
The 2023-24 season has been difficult for Eason. A leg injury sustained during the Houston Rockets' preseason opener against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 10 has left an ongoing problem. Coach Ime Udoka made plans to take Eason's recovery process slow. And three months later, Udoka and his staff have stuck to the objective.
The Rockets sidelined Eason for 25 games, which will mark 17 consecutive absences following Houston's interconference contest against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Eason has never been in a position where he had to miss an extensive amount of games due to an injury. And there have been moments he felt the need to accelerate his recovery.
He began the season missing seven of the first 12 games. And after his return, Eason played through significant pain before the Rockets decided to shut him down following their 23-point victory over the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 1.
"I am not someone who likes to complain, but it wasn't good," Eason said. "I love basketball. It is my favorite thing to do. It's hard to step away from the game — injury or not."
Udoka announced following Thursday's practice that Eason has begun participating in one-on-one and two-on-two workouts and could return to play next week. However, he has not taken part in any five-on-five scrimmages.
A potential return would give Eason a chance to play in the Rockets' upcoming four-game road trip, which includes a contest against the Pacers inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse Tuesday night.
The Rockets have missed Eason's on-court contributions. They have posted a 6-10 record in his most recent absences. When healthy, Eason played a prominent role in the Rockets' early season success, averaging 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 22 games.
Watching the team struggle from the sideline has been difficult. But each moment of silence has helped Eason maintain a positive mindset while waiting for his anticipated return.
"We are ramping up, but it is hard to simulate a full game situation," Eason said. "Having to watch the guys play, it has been hard. But through it all, there have been lessons. And I feel I will come back stronger."
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