Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain in his right knee and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, head coach Ime Udoka told reporters, including Michael Shapiro of Chron.com (Twitter link).
According to Matt Young of The Houston Chronicle, Tate suffered the injury in the second quarter of Saturday’s loss at New York. Udoka said the 30-year-old would be reevaluated in two weeks, but noted that Grade 2 MCL sprains typically result in a four-to-six week absence.
Tate hasn’t played much in 2025/26, averaging just 8.4 minutes per game across 34 appearances. However, he was reinserted into the rotation just before the All-Star break, playing 13 minutes against the Clippers on February 11. He logged 15 minutes at Charlotte on February 19 and sustained the injury two days later.
Tate, who is playing on a minimum-salary contract and is headed for unrestricted free agency this summer, underwent offseason surgery to address an impingement in his right ankle. He was unable to participate in Houston’s training camp or the preseason while he was recovering from that injury.
A former undrafted free agent who played four years of college ball at Ohio State, Tate has seen his minutes decline in each of his six seasons with the Rockets. The veteran forward had a brief G League stint in late November because he wanted to get some playing time and a chance to find his rhythm.
It’s unclear if Tate will make it back before the regular season ends on April 12, but based on Udoka’s timeline, the veteran combo forward should return prior to the postseason. The Rockets are currently 34-21, the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
Tate has been so underused in Houston (for his whole career), I guess he never had the drive to go somewhere and try to have a bigger role. He was comfortable in houston and stayed.
He may also have life outside of basketball. He has made good money to likely be setup for life if handled right. He may not be obsessed with trying to achieve star level and fine as a glue guy with his job.
Star level? I meant more like a Royce O’neale type of player
He isnt a glue guy, he is a bench warmer in Houston. Like I said he chose to be comfortable, but he could have been much more.
A glue guy is just a player that when called upon will do little things. They don’t have to have normal minutes every night. He could also be a great locker room presence he has been on the team the longest. He was ungrateful and able to stick in the organization this long.
Kenrich Williams on OKC is a “glue guy” for them but you may call him a bench warmer too.
That was a big body landing on him. Man these injuries are starting to accumulate on Rockets lols. Imo they should have gone after a PG. Can they still do it ?
Get well Jae’Sean ….. 🙏