Collectively, the Houston Rockets failed to launch during Wednesday's shocking home loss to the Charlotte Hornets. It was the opening game of the NBA's 2024-25 regular season for both teams.
Individually, the highly anticipated return of veteran center Steven Adams was also a no go.
Adams, 31, missed all of last season after undergoing right knee surgery in October 2023. Though he played in three of Houston's 2024-25 preseason games earlier this month, he suddenly emerged on the team's injury report a day prior to the Oct. 23 opener.
At the time, Adams was questionable, with the team listing both right knee injury management (the previous surgery) and a left calf strain.