Tari Eason will miss his fifth consecutive game Wednesday night during the Houston Rockets ' contest against the Chicago Bulls.
Eason has never dealt with a significant injury until an exhibition game against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 10. Jalen Smith rolled on Eason's leg during the Rockets' 122-103 preseason victory inside the Toyota Center.
The incident caused a "stress reaction" in Eason's left leg that began to flare up following his appearance against the New Orleans Pelicans two nights later. He has since missed 14 games.
"He’s getting shots up, and he’s finally starting to move a little bit more," coach Ime Udoka said. "Some of that movement can strain the oblique, a little bit. The catch-and-shoot is fine. It’s what he does defensively, and shooting on the move, that’s the next progression."
Eason was one of 10 players who played all 82 games during the 2022-23 season. He finished his rookie year averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 21.5 minutes, which led to him joining Jabari Smith Jr. as one of five players named to the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team selection.
His name is already in the company of a pair of all-time greats when he became the third rookie to tally 80 or more steals and 40 or more blocks since the 1980-81 season — joining James Worthy and Scottie Pippen.
As a player who has not missed many games since college, the injury has been challenging for Eason. His emotions have been similar to the injury-plagued year Jae'Sean Tate had last season, where an ongoing ankle injury limited him to 31 games.
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