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Houston Rockets center Clint Capela. David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Clint Capela signing looks prescient after Steven Adams injury news

By Sean Keane | Last updated Jan 28, 2026 6:48 PM ET

The Houston Rockets loved what Steven Adams gave them last season, but they still signed Clint Capela in the offseason as insurance. The wisdom of that move became apparent Wednesday with news that Adams would miss the rest of the season.

The 32-year-old Adams injured his ankle Jan. 18. Ten days later, he's been ruled out for the season because the injury will require surgery. Now Capela becomes the backup center behind Alperen Sengun — and occasionally alongside him in the Rockets' signature double-big lineups.

Clint Capela's contract will be worth the payroll limitations

Adams was remarkably effective for the Rockets last season, playing only 13.7 minutes per game but leading the NBA in rebound rate, grabbing 10.2 offensive boards and 20 total boards every 100 possessions. In the playoffs, the Rockets upped his minutes and often played Adams next to Sengun in lineups that dominated the glass and stifled the Golden State Warriors offense in a seven-game loss.

But the team was understandably cautious with Adams. They traded for the massive rim protector and screen-setter during the 2023-24 season, one where Adams didn't play a single minute. He was sidelined from Jan. 22 2023 to Oct. 28, 2024, and the Rockets kept him out of back-to-backs for the first two months of the 2024-25 season.

They still couldn't protect him from a devastating injury this season.

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has undergone season-ending surgery on his left ankle, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/IG15RAPxQH
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2026

That's why getting longtime Rockets center Capela back was so crucial. It seemed like overkill for the Rockets to give Capela a three-year, $21.5M contract with Sengun, Adams and 6-foot-11 Jabari Smith Jr. already on the roster. Now, it looks brilliant.

Capela has been an even better rebounder than Adams this season on a per-minute basis, averaging 19.7 rebounds per 100 possessions (10.3 on offense), and he's scoring more as well. The 31-year-old center is more of a shot-blocker than Adams, though he can't match Adams for size and screen-setting.

Injury fears could limit the Rockets at trade deadline

The Rockets lost starting point guard Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL before the season began, so there's been speculation they'd trade for backcourt help before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. One trade candidate is backup forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who missed the Rockets' first 27 games due to ankle surgery, and has had a limited workload since his return.

The problem is that the Rockets' other forwards have a history of injuries. Tari Eason has excelled when he plays, averaging 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 46.8 percent on three-pointers. The key caveat is "when he plays" — Eason has missed 20 games this season and over half of the Rockets' games since he played a full 82 in his rookie season in 2022-23.

Kevin Durant has been productive (26.4 points, 4.5 assists) and healthy, missing only two games. He's also 37 years old and missed 20 games last season. Jabari Smith Jr., healthy this season, missed 25 games in 2024-25.

The Rockets want to be big and physical but lost their biggest and most physical player. They've got a big replacement in Capela, but losing Adams may well mean they won't risk getting small to add another guard.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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