Injured Usman Garuba hopes to return: 'I'm feeling better every day' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY Sports-Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports-Scanpix

The Houston Rockets' second-year man Usman Garuba missed the first NBA Las Vegas Summer League game against the Orlando Magic last night.

Usman Garuba

Team:Houston RocketsPosition:C, PFAge:20Height:203 cmWeight:104 kgBirth place:Madrid, SpainProfileNewsStatistics

Garuba himself has revealed that the cause of his absence was an injury.

"I'm going to be going day by day,” he said. "I turned my ankle a little bit a few days ago, feeling better every day, and hopefully I will play on Saturday."

"I've been working out a lot with the team with the staff, watching film, learning things I can do to make an impact on the game. So, it's very important for me," the Spanish forward told.

Voted as the EuroLeague's Rising Star in 2021, Garuba was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Rockets. Last season, the player missed time with a bruised right thigh, a fractured left wrist, a sprained left ankle, and NBA health and safety protocols. He was limited to just 24 games with the club and played in just five games with the NBA G-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

"When Us is physically ready for the game, Us is going to be great for us because he can do everything [defensively the Rockets want to do]," Rockets assistant coach Rick Higgins who coaches the club's summer league team said. "There's a reason we went and got Us. We want to play this way. Us embodies how we want to play."

"It's very important for him to be here," Higgins said. "That's why we're all here, working to grow and working with the group. If he's hurt, he's hurt. He has put in a lot of good work since the season ended. That's important. Obviously, we want him to be here because this is important going forward."

The next Rockets match in the Las Vegas Summer League is scheduled on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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