Rockets' Jones has partially collapsed lung, out at least 1 week

Terrence Jones can't seem to catch a break this season.

The Houston Rockets power forward, who had been playing some of the best ball of his career following a 41-game absence due to nerve inflammation in his left leg, will now be sidelined at least a week after suffering a partially collapsed lung.

Jones left Thursday's victory over the Denver Nuggets with an apparent rib injury and spent the night in the hospital after being struck in the ribs in the first quarter.

The 23-year-old is averaging career-highs of 12.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks on a solid True Shooting Percentage of 56.0 in over 27 minutes of average playing time. Jones had started at the four-spot for Houston in 12 of the past 13 games.

With Dwight Howard (knee) and Kostas Papanikolaou (ankle) also still out, the Rockets' frontcourt has once again been thinned, leaving Josh Smith, Trevor Ariza, Donatas Motiejunas and Joey Dorsey to carry the load.