While he was one of ten players who had played the entire 2022/23 season (and even a little more for Mikal Bridges), for his first year in the NBA, Tari Eason experiences a second, much more complicated exercise. With seven weeks of competition remaining, he has only played 22 matches…
This was due to an injury sustained in preseason, when Jalen Smith fell on his left leg. Despite this, he managed to start his season on November 8, 2023 and then play until January 1. Since then, he has been stuck in the infirmary.
“We will undoubtedly have a second, third or even a fourth opinion. Several doctors look at the x-rays and say what they think. We should find out more soon”, explains his coach Ime Udoka.
The pain postpones its return
In late January and early February, Tari Eason increased his workload to return before the All-Star Game. But faced with persistent pain, he postponed his return until the end of February, before finally putting it on hold.
“It’s certain that the further we progress in the season, the harder it is for him because we want him to play. But when he did, he was in pain, so when it got worse, we decided to give him some rest.”expands the coach a little. “Time took its toll and he seemed to heal. He tried to gain strength and the pain returned. So we decided to give him even more time. »
Time is the key because the Houston franchise is mostly thinking about the future. “Discussions with him are around patience. We have to look further. He is young and we are not going to jeopardize his career. It's about being smart, thinking long-term.”insists Ime Udoka to conclude.
| Tari Eason | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | HOU | 82 | 22 | 44.8 | 34.3 | 75.2 | 2.4 | 3.7 | 6.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 9.3 |
| 2023-24 | HOU | 22 | 22 | 46.6 | 36.0 | 63.6 | 2.1 | 4.9 | 7.0 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 9.8 |
| Total | 104 | 22 | 45.2 | 34.7 | 73.0 | 2.3 | 3.9 | 6.2 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 9.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
