Steven Adams
Houston Rockets · Center · 6′11″ 265 lb · age 33 · Pittsburgh · 14th season
1 game this season
Availability
Tonight vs ATLOut ESPN ·
Reported Oct 25: Adams has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hawks due to a right soleus strain.
Official injury report: Out
Lineups not confirmed yet
Teammates out
Recent changes
- Oct 25AvailabilityOut
- Oct 23AvailabilityAvailable
- Oct 21AvailabilityDay-to-day
Season form
1 game this seasonStarts 0 of 1 games · 11th on HOU in minutes · Deep bench role
Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.
What's being said
41 items · 9 sources this season- Bluesky Varun Shankar (@byvarunshankar.bsky.social) · Report ·
Steven Adams OUT with a right soleus (calf muscle) strain. Marcus Smart questionable.
- ESPN ESPN · Report ·
Adams has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hawks due to a right soleus strain.
- Podcast Locked On NBA · Report · around the league
Tony says Steven Adams got hurt, which disrupted the Rockets' identity. Fred VanVleet, who missed all of last season, did not play as the Rockets beat the Hawks in Atlanta to reach 3-0. No reason was given for VanVleet's absence.
“Are the Miami Heat Already in PANIC Mode After NIGHTMARE Start? Golden State Warriors LOOK Helpless” at 17:10 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Hawks host · Report · around the league
According to the host, Houston was shorthanded: no VanVleet, Marcus Smart or Steven Adams. These are opponent players.
“Comeback bid falls short for Hawks in home opener against Rockets” at 3:00 · listen ↗
- Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Report · around the league
Rockets don't have Reed Sheppard right now; no reason given. A host was surprised Steven Adams is healthy (he got injured in January).
“20 Things We Have Learned So Far | Numbers On The Board” at 1:33:35 · listen ↗
- X Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) · Report ·
Steven Adams (injury management) listed out Saturday.
- Bluesky @btrowland.bsky.social · Report ·
Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams are out for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is listed as questionable.
- Podcast Locked On Rockets · 4 points ·
- Jackson Gatlin: The initial plan put wings on Wembanyama: Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, or Amen Thompson. That worked because Alperen Sengun and, to a lesser degree, Steven Adams could guard Spurs wings and perimeter players. at 13:43
- Jackson Gatlin: Because of the scheme, Alperen Sengun guarded Stephon Castle for big chunks of the game and walled up his drives. Adams was switched onto Dylan Harper or De'Aaron Fox on a few possessions. at 17:43
- Jackson Gatlin: Host says Tari Eason and Steven Adams both effectively made their Rockets debuts this season. at 29:13
- Jackson Gatlin: Steven Adams played only nine minutes but was healthy. Host says his big body made it hard for the Spurs to box him out. at 29:20
“Rockets Vs Spurs: Amen Thompson GAME-WINNING BLOCK On Victor Wembanyama & Alperen Sengun DOMINATES” · listen ↗
- X Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) · Report ·
Steven Adams (calf) listed available to play Friday.
- ESPN ESPN · Report ·
Adams (calf) is questionable to play in Friday's game against the Spurs.
- ESPN ESPN · Report ·
Adams (calf) won't play in Wednesday's game versus Dallas.
- Bluesky Varun Shankar (@byvarunshankar.bsky.social) · Report ·
Steven Adams is out for tonight's game with right calf tightness/soreness. Rockets starting the game with: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün.
- ESPN ESPN · Report ·
Adams (calf) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks.
- Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · around the league
The host attributed part of the drop to not having Steven Adams, who powers their second-chance offense.
“BIG NBA Questions: Slam N Jam LIVE!” at 21:05 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Rockets · 3 points ·
- Jackson Gatlin: The host frames this season around the return of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, plus the additions of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. at 2:08
- B Scott says last season's 6th-ranked defense played with no VanVleet and mostly without Adams. He expects Marcus Smart to play significant minutes. at 7:01
- B Scott says the Rockets were already a good offensive rebounding team without Adams and are 'otherworldly' with him. He says the additions bring shot creation and floor spacing. at 15:05
“DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE: Houston Rockets Set To SURPASS Spurs & Thunder In NBA's Elite Rankings?” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points ·
- Bryson said having Steven Adams back will help Alperen Sengun and will also help Reed, because of how the team staggered their minutes together. at 4:30
- Jackson Gatlin: A host or guest inferred to be the host said last season started strong while Steven Adams was healthy and went off the rails once he was lost. He believes the team could probably have survived VanVleet's injury if Adams had stayed healthy. at 11:24
“Rockets Most IMPORTANT Player BESIDES Kevin Durant | Who Will SURPRISE And Who Has Most AT STAKE?” · listen ↗
- Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · around the league
Fred VanVleet is back for Houston and Steven Adams seems healthy. The Rockets added depth to the rotation. Ime Udoka is rated under "scrambled" (high) pressure to build a functional half-court offense.
“Final Considerations Ahead of NBA Opening Night” at 37:10 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points ·
- Jackson Gatlin: Host expects the team to be careful with Kevin Durant's minutes, with Steven Adams and with VanVleet, to keep them fresh for the postseason. at 10:03
- Bryson says the minimum is 58 wins and he really thinks they should go 60-22. He argues that VanVleet and Steven Adams together are worth about eight more wins, in his opinion. at 7:11
“Houston Rockets Path To SUCCESS This Season? | Alperen Sengun & Amen Thompson Must SHINE” · listen ↗
- Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · around the league
Dan's Rockets top nine: starters VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Sengun; bench Smart, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason and Steven Adams. Bogdanovic plays if healthy; Capela likely doesn't play when Sengun and Adams are both healthy.
“1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” at 1:19:37 · listen ↗
- Podcast Jackson Gatlin, Locked On Rockets · Prediction ·
Host prediction: Adams will play more than Capela's five minutes, because the team will want to get him ('Steve-O') 15 to 20 minutes a night.
“Rockets Close Preseason STRONG Vs Thunder | Amen & Sengun CARRY Early, Bogdan Bogdanovic Goes CRAZY” at 24:21 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Rockets · 3 points ·
- Jackson Gatlin: The host's opinion: Bogdanovic should be the swing guy in the rotation, in some combination with Smart and Adams, rather than leaning on them in the regular season. at 21:21
- Jackson Gatlin: The host says Bogdanovic, Smart and Adams are all coming off major injuries and are old, and so should not be leaned on in the regular season. No specific injuries were named. at 21:33
- Jackson Gatlin: The host's minutes math: he expects the double-big lineup to be a mainstay again now that Steven Adams has returned to the rotation. For Sengun to get about 36 minutes and Adams about 20, they need to overlap for roughly 8 minutes a game. at 28:16
“LEGACY: Can Kevin Durant DEFY Doubters And LEAD The Rockets To NBA Finals This Season?” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Rockets · 4 points ·
- The host says Steven Adams is not playing back-to-backs. No source is given. at 18:07
- The host says Adams may be strategically rested more than VanVleet because the team can get by with Clint Capela in the regular season, and they really want Adams for the playoffs. at 18:17
- The host says Adams makes possible offensive rebounding and double-big lineups that take pressure off Alperen Sengun and get him good matchups. at 18:39
- The host says GM Rafael Stone has been fairly inactive at trade deadlines. He excludes the Steven Adams deadline deal because Adams didn't play until the next season. at 11:50
“Rockets Fans PREDICTIONS | 60+ WINS? Western Conference Finals RUN? Kevin Durant DOMINANCE?” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Rockets host · Report ·
Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams did not play in game 2. The host called it the 'reserve game' and gave no reason for the absences.
“Marcus Smart's IMPRESSIVE Rockets Debut Vs Mavs | Reed Sheppard's CONFIDENCE On Display” at 2:15 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Rockets · 6 points ·
- Host's gut prediction for Sunday's game 2: no Fred and no Steven; Marcus starts in place of Fred, Clint plays in place of Steve-O (Adams), and everything else stays the same. at 3:36
- Game 1 substitution order: Tari (Eason) was the first sub off the bench, for Amen Thompson; then Steve-O (Adams) for Alpi (Sengun); then Ime brought in Reed and Amen for Fred VanVleet and Jabari. at 4:57
- At one point the five-man unit was Reed, Tari, Amen, Steve-O (Adams) and KD (Durant). at 5:13
- Fred was seen communicating on defense, calling closeouts and switches. Host says Fred and Steve-O (Adams) are both communicators and will help level up the team. at 8:46
- Host prediction: with Adams (wanted at 20-25 minutes), Tari (25+) and Reed (20+) competing for minutes, Reed will probably be squeezed the most and his minutes may again be inconsistent. at 12:07
- Open question whether Ime commits to a consistent 10-man rotation with Bogdan Bogdanovic playing nightly, or whether Bogey's minutes are spot minutes that come at the expense of Steve-O or Smart. at 28:23
“Rockets Vs Mavs LIVE Postgame Mailbag: Kevin Durant USAGE Concerns, Amen Thompson's ROLE & More” · listen ↗
Podcast items are our short summaries of what was said, credited to who said it; posts and stories link to the original. Opinions and rumors are labelled as such and are not checked facts.
Game log
● = started2026-27 season
| Date | Opp | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 23 | @SAS W | 9 min | 4 pts | 2 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
2025-26 season (last season) · 32 games
| Date | Opp | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18 | NOP W | 27 min | 5 pts | 10 reb | 2 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 15 | OKC L | 25 min | 6 pts | 11 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 13 | CHI W | 18 min | 4 pts | 7 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 11 | @SAC L | 24 min | 3 pts | 6 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 9 | @POR L | 33 min | 5 pts | 9 reb | 3 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 7 | @POR L | 30 min | 7 pts | 11 reb | 4 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 5 | PHX W | 31 min | 8 pts | 11 reb | 2 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 29 | IND W | 22 min | 8 pts | 5 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 27 | CLE W | 22 min | 9 pts | 8 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 25 | @LAL W | 26 min | 4 pts | 9 reb | 2 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 23 | @LAC L | 14 min | 2 pts | 4 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 20 | @DEN W | 25 min | 1 pt | 12 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 18 | @NOP L | 28 min | 6 pts | 10 reb | 3 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 15 | @DEN L | 16 min | 3 pts | 0 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 11 | LAC W | 18 min | 4 pts | 6 reb | 2 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 5 | PHX W | 30 min | 4 pts | 8 reb | 3 ast | 0 3PM |
| Dec 3 | SAC W | 18 min | 11 pts | 8 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 30 | @UTA W | 17 min | 13 pts | 12 reb | 2 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 24 | @PHX W | 16 min | 6 pts | 7 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 21 | DEN L | 23 min | 5 pts | 8 reb | 2 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 19 | @CLE W | 28 min | 6 pts | 11 reb | 3 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 16 | ORL W | 27 min | 3 pts | 13 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 14 | POR W | 18 min | 5 pts | 11 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 12 | WAS W | 17 min | 5 pts | 8 reb | 4 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 9 | @MIL W | 22 min | 12 pts | 6 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 7 | @SAS L | 20 min | 3 pts | 8 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 3 | DAL W | 23 min | 4 pts | 9 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 1 | @BOS W | 14 min | 4 pts | 5 reb | 3 ast | 0 3PM |
| Oct 29 | @TOR W | 20 min | 12 pts | 12 reb | 2 ast | 0 3PM |
| Oct 27 | BKN W | 16 min | 4 pts | 8 reb | 1 ast | 0 3PM |
| Oct 24 | DET L | 25 min | 11 pts | 10 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Oct 21 | @OKC L | 37 min | 4 pts | 13 reb | 3 ast | 0 3PM |
How his numbers change by situation, with four seasons of history →
Predictions about him
how calls are trackedCame true 3 · Waiting 2
- Waiting Locked On Rockets (show): Steven Adams sits out Sunday's preseason game vs Dallas.
2026-10-09 · Podcast · for vs DAL, 2026-10-11 Flag - Waiting Jackson Gatlin: Steven Adams will average at least 15 minutes per game.
2026-10-16 · Podcast · by 2027-04-12 Flag - Came true Underdog NBA: Steven Adams: reported out source
2026-10-24 · X · for @ ATL, 2026-10-25 · result: did not play Flag - Came true Underdog NBA: Steven Adams: reported available source
2026-10-24 · X · for @ SAS, 2026-10-24 · result: came off the bench, 9 min Flag - Came true Underdog NBA: Steven Adams: reported out source
2026-10-21 · X · for vs DAL, 2026-10-22 · result: did not play Flag