The Rockets beat the Suns 118-109 on the road today, bringing their record against the Suns to 2-2 this season. However, despite the victory, the Rockets are drifting away from a play-in spot, and it has become a daunting task to overtake the Warriors and Lakers. What's even more worrying is that the team's defensive core, Ethan, has already announced reimbursement this season.
Ethan's injury has attracted the attention and sadness of the team's coach Udoka. He revealed that Ethan has been plagued by a leg injury this season and has had to be sidelined frequently. Now, Ethan needs surgery** because he has a benign growth in his lower leg bone, which has become more severe. Ethan will undergo surgery on Monday and is expected to take four months to recover.
Ethan plays a vital role in the team, he is Udoka's lifeline and is the heart of the team's defensive system. Before Ethan's injury, the Rockets had some of the best defensive efficiency in the league, even better than the Timberwolves. Despite being a substitute, Ethan's playing ability and defensive efficiency are among the highest on the team. Statistically, Ethan's defensive efficiency ranks first among all players who play at least 15 minutes per game.
With Ethan's addition, the Rockets' overall net efficiency value has increased by 172. Become the head of the team. However, in the four games before Ethan's surgery, he exploded in a row, and his performance against the Grizzlies was even more eye-catching, with 25 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block, with a plus/minus of +19. However, without Ethan, the situation for the Rockets becomes precarious.
Eason has missed more than 30 games this season, and while his average per game stats may seem ordinary, his high-level offensive and defensive stats are as good as Leonard's time with the Spurs. His defensive rebounding ability is at the heart of the Rockets' defense, and he is able to control the opponent's offensive tempo and reduce the opponent's scoring efficiency.
Ethan's injury has forced the team to readjust their tactics and lineup, which is a huge challenge for the Rockets. In Ethan's absence, the team's performance has been severely affected, and the growth of rookies has been hindered. For the team, the performance this season has been disappointing, the option could be lost to the Thunder, and the team's prospects have become more uncertain.
Against this backdrop, fans are full of doubts and worries about the future of the Rockets. The team will need to find a backup solution before Eason returns from injury to keep the defensive solid. I believe that with the efforts of the team, the Rockets will be able to overcome the current difficulties and return to the road of victory!