There’s something disarming about a 6’11” center who’d rather talk about his farm back in New Zealand than trade trash talk on the court. Steven Adams has quietly become one of the NBA’s most beloved figures—not for flashy stats, but for an unfiltered personality that makes him feel like the guy next door, even as he navigates a serious ankle injury that forced him off the court for the remainder of the 2025–26 season.

Height: 6’11” · Team: Houston Rockets · Age: 32

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

A quick summary of Steven Adams’ core biographical details.

Key facts about Steven Adams
Attribute Value
Position Center
Team Houston Rockets
Age 32
Height 6’11”
Weight 265 lbs
Draft Year 2013
College Pittsburgh

What happened with Steven Adams?

What type of injury did Steven Adams have?

On January 18, 2026, during the Houston Rockets’ 119–110 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Adams left the game in the fourth quarter after landing awkwardly on his left ankle. NBA.com (official league coverage) confirmed that head coach Ime Udoka revealed two days later the diagnosis: a Grade 3 left ankle sprain. That’s the most severe category of sprain, involving a complete tear of the ligament. CBS Sports (sports journalism) noted that initial imaging showed no fracture, but the ligament damage was significant enough to require surgery. Adams later underwent a procedure on his left ankle, ending his 2025–26 season.

According to Forbes (business and sports reporting), the team initially expected him to be week-to-week before the severity became clear. The Rockets’ official medical update on X (team social media) stated the surgery was successful and Adams is expected to make a full recovery.

Why this matters

A Grade 3 ankle sprain typically requires at least two months of rehabilitation, per CBS Sports (sports medicine reference). For a 32-year-old center whose game relies on physical presence and rebounding, the timing of this injury—right before the final year of his contract—carries implications for both his recovery and his future with the Rockets.

What is the timeline for his recovery?

Adams last played on January 18, recording five points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes, per NBA.com (official game logs). After the surgery announcement, ESPN (sports network) listed him as out for the season. RotoWire (fantasy sports analytics) provided an estimated return date of October 1, 2026—just before the start of the 2026–27 training camp. RocketsWire (USA Today Sports) later described the injury as severe and noted Adams missed most of the season, having appeared in 32 of the Rockets’ first 48 games.

Bottom line: Steven Adams faces a months-long rehab from a Grade 3 ankle sprain. The Rockets expect a full recovery by fall 2026. Fantasy managers and fans alike should plan for him to miss the entire 2025–26 playoffs.

The implication: Adams’ recovery timeline will dictate his availability for training camp and the 2026–27 season, with no guarantee of a smooth return.

Is Steven Adams in a relationship?

Does Steven Adams have a girlfriend?

Steven Adams is notoriously private about his personal life. His Instagram (personal social media) shows mostly basketball content, family photos, and occasional glimpses of his farm in New Zealand. No public photos or statements confirm a current girlfriend or romantic partner.

The implication: Fans who hope for relationship updates are likely to stay disappointed. Adams has stated in past interviews that he prefers to keep that part of his life off-camera.

Has Steven Adams ever been married?

There are no records or credible reports suggesting Adams has ever been married. Wikipedia (editorial board) does not list any spouse or former spouse in his biography.

Has Steven Adams got children?

How many children does Steven Adams have?

As of 2025, there is no public evidence that Steven Adams has children. Wikipedia (editorial board) and major biographical databases do not list any offspring. Adams has never mentioned children in interviews, and no credible media report has confirmed otherwise.

What to watch

Given the intense public curiosity about Adams’ family life, any future hint—either in interviews or social media—would likely spread quickly among NBA fans. For now, the official record remains empty.

The pattern: Adams’ private life remains a blank slate for public consumption, but any change would generate immediate buzz.

How rich is Steven Adams?

What is Steven Adams’ net worth?

Estimates place Steven Adams’ net worth between $30 million and $40 million. Celebrity Net Worth (financial estimate aggregator) pegs it at around $35 million, factoring in his NBA salaries, endorsements, and investments. Adams has endorsement deals with New Balance and other brands, though he is not among the league’s biggest commercial earners.

How much does Steven Adams earn per year?

Adams is currently on a contract with the Houston Rockets that pays approximately $12.6 million per season, per Spotrac (salary cap tracking). That figure puts him in the mid-range for starting centers. His career earnings, accumulated over 11 NBA seasons, exceed $120 million according to Basketball Reference (contract history).

Bottom line: Steven Adams is comfortably wealthy but not among the NBA elite. His $12.6 million annual salary is a far cry from max-contract players, but his total career earnings are substantial. The current injury could affect his next deal—free agency looms after the 2026–27 season.

The catch: Adams’ next contract will be heavily influenced by his recovery from this ankle surgery.

Are Jason Momoa and Steven Adams related?

How are Steven Adams and Jason Momoa related?

The rumor that actor Jason Momoa and Steven Adams are cousins has circulated online for years, fueled by their similar Polynesian features and Adams’ Tongan heritage (his mother is Tongan). However, Snopes (fact-checking organization) rates the claim as unsubstantiated. No birth records, family trees, or credible interviews confirm a biological link between the two. Adams himself has never publicly addressed the rumor, and Momoa has not claimed any relation.

The trade-off: It’s a fun bit of trivia that adds to Adams’ cult-hero mystique, but it simply isn’t backed by evidence. Fans can enjoy the speculation without mistaking it for fact.

Steven Adams: Key milestones

  • July 20, 1993 – Born in Rotorua, New Zealand (Wikipedia (editorial board))
  • June 2013 – Drafted 12th overall by Oklahoma City Thunder (Basketball Reference (draft history))
  • July 2023 – Traded to Houston Rockets (NBA.com (trade reporting))
  • January 18, 2026 – Left ankle injury vs. Pelicans (NBA.com (game report))
  • January 20, 2026 – Diagnosed with Grade 3 left ankle sprain (NBA.com (official update))
  • Early 2026 – Underwent season-ending surgery (Houston Rockets (official team X account))

These milestones trace Adams’ journey from New Zealand to the NBA, with the most recent injury posing the greatest career challenge.

What we know — and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Height 6’11”, weight 265 lbs – verified by multiple sources (NBA.com)
  • Birthdate July 20, 1993 – per Wikipedia and NBA.com (Wikipedia)
  • Team: Houston Rockets – current status (NBA.com)
  • Position: Center – primary role (Basketball Reference)
  • Draft: 2013, 12th overall – OKC Thunder (Basketball Reference)
  • College: University of Pittsburgh – one season (2012–13) (Wikipedia)
  • Grade 3 left ankle sprain suffered January 18, 2026 (NBA.com)
  • Season-ending surgery performed in 2026 (Houston Rockets)

What’s still unclear

  • Exact net worth – only estimates available (Celebrity Net Worth)
  • Relationship status – no confirmed partner (Instagram)
  • Children – no public record (Wikipedia)
  • Biological relation to Jason Momoa – unconfirmed (Snopes)
  • Exact timeline for return to play – October 2026 is an estimate (RotoWire)
  • Future contract situation – next free agency uncertain (Spotrac)
  • Full recovery expectation – is an official statement, not a guarantee (Houston Rockets)
  • Exact date of season-ending surgery – not publicly disclosed (Houston Rockets)
  • Rehabilitation progress updates – none released publicly

This breakdown highlights the gap between established facts and lingering unknowns about Adams’ situation.

“He had a Grade 3 left ankle sprain. He’s going to be out indefinitely.”

Ime Udoka, Rockets head coach, NBA.com (official league site)

“The surgery was successful, and he is expected to make a full recovery.”

Houston Rockets official statement, X (team social media)

“Steven Adams is one of the most beloved players in the locker room. His presence will be missed, but we support him through this.”

Anonymous Rockets teammate, paraphrased by RocketsWire (USA Today Sports)

The injury to Steven Adams is more than a medical footnote—it reshapes the Rockets’ frontcourt rotation and raises questions about the team’s postseason ceiling in 2026. For a player known for his durability and team-first mentality, being sidelined at a critical stage of his career is a bitter irony. For Adams, the road back will test the same resilience that turned a kid from Rotorua into an NBA cult hero.

What team does Steven Adams play for?

Steven Adams plays for the Houston Rockets. He was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2023 as part of a multi-team deal (NBA.com).

What position does Steven Adams play?

Adams plays center, primarily as a rim protector and rebounder (Basketball Reference).

How tall is Steven Adams?

Steven Adams is 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm) tall (NBA.com).

When was Steven Adams drafted?

He was selected 12th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder (Basketball Reference).

What college did Steven Adams attend?

Adams played one season at the University of Pittsburgh in 2012–13 before declaring for the NBA (Wikipedia).

Is Steven Adams injured?

Yes, Adams suffered a Grade 3 left ankle sprain on January 18, 2026, and underwent season-ending surgery. He is out indefinitely (NBA.com).

What is Steven Adams’ salary?

Adams earns approximately $12.6 million per season under his current contract with the Rockets (Spotrac).