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:
Houston Rockets statement: “Last night, Sterling Brown was the victim of an assault. He had no prior knowledge of or interaction with the assailants. He suffered facial lacerations but will make a full recovery. Sterling is not playing tonight because of his prior knee injury.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 19, 2021
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.
Stephen Silas on Sterling Brown who the Rockets said was the victim of an assault, but expected to make a full recovery: “I have spoken to him and he’s doing better..Thankfully he’s gonna be okay.” Stephen says Sterling is with the team in Miami. pic.twitter.com/Bf7e8vQ733
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) April 19, 2021
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.