Houston Rockets rookie shooting guard KJ McDaniels will likely miss the entire playoffs after sustaining a wrist injury in the Rockets 117-91 victory over the Jazz in their season finale. The former ACC Defensive Player of the Year averaged 7.9 PPG, 1.3 APG, and 3.8 RPG in his first pro season, and he is extremely athletic and a phenomenal defender.
K.J. was traded to the Rockets in February from the 76ers after being drafted by Philadelphia. He did not get as much playing time in Houston as he did in Philadelphia, and his numbers reflected on the decreased playing time. He only played 3.3 minutes in 10 games for Houston, but in Philly, he played in 52 games averaging 25.4 minutes per game. He also scored well as a rookie in Philly, averaging 9.2 PPG while he was there.
K.J. McDaniels reportedly fractured his wrist according to Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. With the loss of KJ, the Rockets lose a valuable defender who could help them with covering athletic and offensively inclined players.
K.J. was a great shot blocker at Clemson, averaging more than 2 BPG. He also scored well in his final year at Clemson averaging 17 PPG. The athletic shooting guard has a high ceiling, and could have been very useful for the Rockets in the playoffs.
