NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 30: Sterling Brown #0 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 30, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Houston Rockets swingman Sterling Brown was assaulted on Sunday evening in Miami, leaving him with facial lacerations.
Houston Rockets swingman Sterling Brown was not slated to play in the team’s road game against the Miami Heat on Monday night due to a knee injury. However, the team provided a scary update regarding the 26-year-old.
On Monday, the Rockets announced that Brown was a victim of assault on Sunday evening. The team said Brown had “no prior knowledge of or interaction with the assailants.” Browns suffered facial lacerations but is expected to make a full recovery.
You can read the Rockets’ official statement below, via Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports:
Sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic that Brown was jumped outside of a Miami club, where he was hit in the head with a bottle and required medical attention. Those with knowledge of the incident called it a “serious altercation,” per Charania.
Rockets: Sterling Brown was a victim of assault on Sunday night in Miami
Following the team’s announcement, head coach Stephen Silas told the media that he spoke with Brown and said “thankfully he is going to be okay.” You can listen to Silas’ full comments in the video below, via Mark Berman of Fox 26.
This past offseason, Brown signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. Through 51 games this campaign (14 starts), Brown is averaging 8.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while recording a field goal percentage of 44.8 and a 3-point percentage of 42.3.
Brown has missed the prior four games due to left knee soreness, with his last time taking the court coming on April 10 in Houston’s 125-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors.