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Rockets Injury Update: Kostas Papanikolaou Sprains Knee

By Sam Richmond

Oct 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kostas Papanikolaou (16) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a preseason game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Rockets 117-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kostas Papanikolaou (16) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a preseason game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Rockets 117-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets Kostas Papanikolaou will miss the next few weeks of action after spraining his MCL Friday.

Kostas Papanikolaou has been a solid piece for the Houston Rockets as they have jumped out to an impressive 16-4 start to this season.

The Greek rookie is averaging 6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and .9 steals in 25.5 minutes per game this year. His across-the-board contributions have helped Houston become more balanced than perhaps many thought they would be entering the season.

However, the Rockets will be without the 24-year-old for an extended period of time.

Papanikolaou suffered a knee injury on Friday when the Rockets faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which the forward is saying is an MCL sprain that will keep him sidelined for a few weeks.

From CBS Houston:

"“It’s a first degree, sprained MCL,” he said. “Things could be even worse. I’m happy that it’s that way. It looks like it’ll be a couple of weeks, like 10-14 days to get back. We have a great staff in the back doing a great job and they will do their best in order for me to come back as soon as possible.”"

It’s pretty unfortunate timing for the Rockets, as they are already without big men Dwight Howard and Terrance Jones due to injury at the moment. Papanikolaou has been able to alleviate the pain of those absences by playing big.

Still, this could actually be viewed as good news for Houston. Papanikolaou revealed that he thought the injury was going to be more serious and cost him more time than it ultimately will.

"“I was really scared,” Papanikolaou said. “Even when they told me the first time, still I was scared because you never know with this kind of stuff. You actually get to know the next day. You see how much swelling there is and then what the doctors will say. So I was pretty scared, but thank God, man. I’m just glad it’s only (a sprained MCL) and nothing more.”"

Assuming Papanikolaou will miss 14 days from when he suffered the injury (Dec. 5), Houston will be without the forward for five more games.

In the meantime, Houston will need forwards such as Donatas Motiejunas and Trevor Ariza to step up in Papanikolaou’s absence.

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