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Steven Adams Questionable For Wednesday
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (calf) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Dallas Mavericks. The 33-year-old underwent season-ending ankle surgery in January and returned to play 14 minutes in a preseason game against Dallas. Adams averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game last season and enters the 2026-27 campaign as Alperen Sengun's primary backup. His rebounding gives him some fantasy appeal in deeper leagues, and Clint Capela could see more minutes when Adams is sidelined. Houston is expected to manage Adams' workload early in the season, including sitting him for one game of back-to-back sets.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Fred VanVleet to Skip One Game of Back-to-Back Sets
According to The Athletic, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said guard Fred VanVleet will sit out one game in back-to-back sets early in the regular season. The 32-year-old missed the entire 2025-26 campaign after tearing his right ACL. Houston will likely manage VanVleet's workload carefully as he works his way back to full strength. While his playing time could be limited early on, his ability to contribute three-pointers, assists, and steals should keep him fantasy-relevant once he returns to a full workload.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Steven Adams Opens Season Without Minutes Limit
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) won't face a minutes restriction to open the season, head coach Ime Udoka told Lachard Binkley of SI.com, though Houston will remain cautious with back-to-backs. That's progress from late September, when Udoka didn't expect Adams to play both ends early in the season. The 33-year-old underwent season-ending ankle surgery in January before returning for 14 preseason minutes against Dallas. Adams averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes last season and enters 2026-27 as Alperen Sengun's primary backup. His rebounding remains useful in limited minutes, while Clint Capela could see extra work whenever Adams rests.
Source: Lachard Binkley
Source: Lachard Binkley
Fred VanVleet Cleared of Minutes Restriction for Season Opener
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) will not face a minutes restriction as the season opens, head coach Ime Udoka told Lachard Binkley of SI.com. Houston will remain cautious with back-to-backs, which could create extra opportunities for Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart. VanVleet missed all of 2025-26 after tearing his right ACL but returned with 17 points, five triples, and seven assists in 24 preseason minutes against Dallas. His shot volume could dip alongside Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson, but his threes, assists, and steals should keep him fantasy-relevant with a full workload.
Source: Lachard Binkley
Source: Lachard Binkley
Alperen Sengun Wraps Up Preseason with All-Around Line
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun recorded 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal in 24 minutes during Thursday's 116-89 preseason win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The two-time All-Star shot 7-for-11 from the field and missed both of his three-point attempts. Fred VanVleet finished with eight assists and no turnovers after missing all of last season, when Sengun averaged 6.2 assists. VanVleet's return could take some playmaking off Sengun's plate, but his 16-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the Macao opener showed Houston will still run plenty of offense through its big man.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Cameron Matthews Signs Training Camp Deal With Houston
Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot reports that free-agent forward Cameron Matthews signed a training camp contract with the Houston Rockets on Thursday. The undrafted Mississippi State standout averaged 7.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals in 29.4 minutes per game over 34 contests in his final campaign as a Bulldog last season. He will likely start this season with Houston's G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Steven Adams Plays 14 Minutes in Return on Friday
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams collected two points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal across 14 minutes in Friday's 135-117 preseason victory over Dallas. Adams returned to the lineup on Friday after undergoing ankle surgery in January. The 33-year-old veteran big man will likely back up starting center Alperen Sengun once the regular season starts. Heading into his 13th campaign, Adams isn't a fantasy-relevant piece unless Sengun gets injured.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Fred VanVleet Turns in Impressive Preseason Debut
Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet posted 17 points (5-for-12 on field goals, 5-for-12 from three, 2-for-3 on free throws), seven assists, two rebounds, and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas. Friday's contest marked VanVleet's first appearance since suffering a torn ACL more than a year ago. The 32-year-old looked productive in his return, but Houston could manage his minutes early in the regular season as he works his way back from the serious injury. A limited workload could affect his fantasy value to begin the campaign.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Steven Adams Fully Cleared for Basketball Activities
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) has been fully cleared following ankle surgery in January, according to head coach Ime Udoka. Udoka said Tuesday that both Adams and guard Fred VanVleet are "looking good" and that they may play in their preseason games in Macao, China. Before undergoing ankle surgery midway through last season, Adams averaged 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in just under 23 minutes per game. With Alperen Sengun likely to start at center for Houston, Adams will likely play off the bench alongside veteran Clint Capela. Heading into his 13th season, Adams is not a fantasy-relevant piece unless Sengun suffers an injury.
Source: Ben DuBose
Source: Ben DuBose
Alperen Sengun Works on Three-Point Shot
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun said corner threes are the shot he most wants to add this season. The 24-year-old is working with shooting coach Chip Engelland and believes confidence is a major part of improving from deep. Sengun attempted only seven corner threes last season while shooting 30.5 percent from beyond the arc overall. He still averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, so three-point shooting remains one of the few holes in his fantasy game. If Sengun can knock down a few more corner threes, it would give defenses one more thing to worry about. His fantasy value, though, will still be driven by the scoring, rebounding, and playmaking he already provides.
Source: Johnny Askounis
Source: Johnny Askounis
Fred VanVleet Faces Early Minutes Limit
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) isn't expected to play both ends of back-to-backs to begin the season, while any minutes restriction will depend on how he progresses through training camp, according to head coach Ime Udoka. The 32-year-old missed all of last season after tearing his right ACL during an offseason workout. In his last healthy campaign, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 threes while shooting 37.8 percent from the field. The steals and perimeter shooting still offer fantasy value, but the early workload management lowers his volume. Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart could see additional ball-handling opportunities whenever VanVleet sits.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Steven Adams Expected to Sit One Leg of Back-to-Backs Early
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) isn't expected to play both ends of back-to-backs to start the season, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic. Head coach Ime Udoka added that any minutes limit will depend on how Adams progresses through training camp. The 33-year-old underwent season-ending left ankle surgery in January after averaging 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes across 32 games. His 4.5 offensive rebounds per game remain his biggest fantasy calling card, but the early workload management will limit his volume. Clint Capela could see additional backup-center work whenever Adams sits.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Steven Adams Still Working Back From Ankle Surgery
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) remains in the recovery process after undergoing season-ending surgery in January. "There's a lot of bones down there mate, it's pretty complicated," Adams said at media day, according to the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 33-year-old played only 32 games last season but remained a strong presence on the glass, averaging 8.6 rebounds, including 4.5 offensive boards, in 22.8 minutes. His availability will be worth monitoring throughout camp and the preseason. If Adams needs more time, Clint Capela could handle additional backup-center minutes behind Alperen Sengun. Adams remains mainly a rebounding specialist for fantasy purposes.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Clint Capela Trims Down Ahead of Rockets Camp
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela said he focused on mobility this offseason and dropped his body fat by four percent, according to Ben DuBose of USA Today's Rockets Wire. "It feels great to have abs looking good," the 32-year-old joked at media day. Capela averaged 3.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 12.3 minutes across 75 games last season, with 2.1 offensive rebounds per game. Steven Adams (ankle) remains without a firm return timetable after January surgery, which could create extra backup-center minutes for Capela behind Alperen Sengun. His fantasy appeal remains limited, but he could provide rebounds and blocks if Adams misses time.
Source: Ben DuBose
Source: Ben DuBose
Kevin Durant Pushes Back on Rockets' Plan to Trim His Minutes
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant isn't eager to see his workload reduced this season after the team discussed cutting back his minutes. "The team is better when I'm on the court," Durant said at Tuesday's media day, adding that he wants to remain available when games require it. The 37-year-old logged 2,840 minutes last season, second most in the NBA, while averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 78 games. Durant did acknowledge that Houston taking care of games early could lead to more rest. A modest reduction shouldn't significantly hurt his fantasy appeal, while Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. could pick up some additional frontcourt minutes.
Source: Ben DuBose
Source: Ben DuBose
