RADIO
Jabari Smith Jr. Cleared After Resting in Season Finale
Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. is not on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Smith averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers per game this season, and he enters the playoffs in strong form with 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 three-pointers over his last five outings in 33.6 minutes. His scoring remains tied to perimeter efficiency, making him a streaky DFS option. Alperen Sengun continues to command usage inside, while Tari Eason could absorb minutes if Smith cools.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alperen Sengun Cleared for Game 1 Against Lakers
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Sengun averaged 17.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 30.8 minutes over his last five games while posting a 26.7 usage rate, reinforcing his role as Houston's offensive hub. His multi-category production makes him a strong DFS anchor with a stable floor and ceiling combination. Clint Capela is expected to remain in a limited backup role, which should keep his minutes and overall production low.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant Iffy for Saturday's Game 1
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (knee) is considered questionable for Saturday's tilt against the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran star is bothered by a right knee contusion ahead of his 14th postseason campaign. This doesn't seem like a very serious issue, but if Durant misses the game, guys like Tari Eason and Josh Okogie are likely to get a lot more burn. In this situation, there will also be a lot of extra offensive usage to be shared across the team, with Alperen Sengun set to be the head honcho.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant to Rest on Sunday
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (rest) won't suit up for Sunday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. It's the regular-season finale, and the Rockets are already locked into the No. 5 seed heading into the postseason. This team isn't playing for anything, so they'll rest their starters ahead of the playoffs. Durant will finish the regular season averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 36.4 minutes per game in 78 games. Tari Eason should be a solid DFS option for Sunday's slate, with Jae'Sean Tate absorbing more playing time as well.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tari Eason is Cleared to Play on Thursday
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (illness) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Eason carried a questionable tag into this game, but he is feeling good enough to suit up. He finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and three steals across 31 minutes during Tuesday's game. He has been a consistent contributor this season, so fantasy managers should be able to continue to rely on him. Fantasy managers can get Eason active in their lineups ahead of tip-off. Josh Okogie and Jae'Sean Tate should play their regular roles with Eason active.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jabari Smith Jr. Exits Early Against Jazz
Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (face) left Friday's win over the Utah Jazz in the third quarter and didn't return. According to The Athletic's Will Guillory, Smith Jr. went to the locker room after taking a shot to the face from teammate Amen Thompson. Before leaving the action, Smith Jr. notched 18 points, five rebounds, and one steal in 24 minutes. Although Smith Jr. doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury, fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status before Sunday's contest against Golden State. Tari Eason and Josh Okogie could get more action if Smith Jr. doesn't play on Sunday.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Alperen Sengun Will Play Against Heat
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) will play Saturday against the Heat after being listed as questionable due to back tightness. The big man should slide right back into his usual role as one of Houston's main facilitators, averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over his last five games. His availability likely pushes Clint Capela back into a limited reserve role, lowering his streaming appeal. Sengun remains a must-start in all formats thanks to the playmaking he brings from the center spot, while Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson should continue leading the scoring.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Alperen Sengun Off Injury Report Wednesday
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (back) is off the injury report and expected to return Wednesday against the Lakers after missing two games. Sengun has averaged 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 28.9 minutes over his last five appearances and should immediately resume his starting role. His return pushes Clint Capela back into a reserve role and limits his streaming appeal. Sengun remains a must-start option for points and assists from the center spot, while Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson may see slightly less playmaking responsibility.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alperen Sengun Sidelined, Clint Capela Starting Against Lakers
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) is out for Monday's game against the Lakers, with veteran center Clint Capela moving into the starting lineup. Capela finished with nine points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four blocks in 22 minutes off the bench in his last game and shapes up as a short-term rebounds and blocks streamer. Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant could also see slight usage increases with Sengun's 27.1 percent usage rate unavailable. Capela is better viewed as a short-term category streamer, while Sengun remains a clear hold once healthy.
Source: Lachard Binkley
Source: Lachard Binkley
Alperen Sengun Could Miss Another Game Monday
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) is questionable for Monday's matchup against the Lakers and could miss a second straight game due to low back pain. His absence would open frontcourt minutes, with Dorian Finney-Smith logging 27 minutes as a spot starter last game, finishing with four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block, while Clint Capela produced nine points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four blocks in 22 minutes. Capela looks like a solid defensive streamer for managers needing blocks, while Finney-Smith is more of a deep-league option due to his limited offensive role. Kevin Durant could also see a slight usage bump if Sengun sits, with more scoring responsibility likely falling on his shoulders.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alperen Sengun Ruled Out Versus New Orleans
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (back) will miss Friday's matchup against New Orleans after being added to the injury report with lower back soreness. His next opportunity to return comes Monday against the Lakers. Clint Capela is expected to step into a larger role after posting nine points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block in 24 minutes last game. Capela profiles as a rebounds and blocks streamer, while Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant could absorb more offensive usage. Reed Sheppard could also benefit, though his production has dipped slightly after a strong recent stretch.
Source: Adam Wexler
Source: Adam Wexler
Alperen Sengun Questionable for Friday Due to Back Issue
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (back) may have to exit the lineup on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, as he has been listed as questionable on the injury report. The Turkish star is experiencing lower back pain and could be sidelined for the first time since Jan. 9. While losing Sengun would be a blow for Houston, Clint Capela is a capable replacement and would be an intriguing fantasy option if he moves into the first unit on Friday night. It's a promising matchup for Houston's big men, as New Orleans ranks sixth in the league for most fantasy points allowed to centers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jabari Smith Jr. Ready for Action Sunday
Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) is not on the injury report for Sunday's I-10 rivalry matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Smith has played in only one of the last four games as he recovers from an ankle sprain. Reed Sheppard has been starting in Smith's absence, producing some outstanding displays. On Sunday, Sheppard will likely be back in the second unit, but he will continue to have fantasy value as a spark plug off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Amen Thompson is Available on Friday
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (ankle) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Thompson has been upgraded to available after coming into this game with a questionable tag. He tweaked his ankle during Thursday's game, but it won't be enough to keep him off the court. He played 44 minutes during Thursday's overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Rockets monitor Thompson on Friday. Regardless, fantasy managers should feel comfortable plugging him into their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jabari Smith Jr. Returns From Two-Game Absence
Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) will be back in action on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. He has been cleared to return after sitting out two games with a right ankle sprain. Smith Jr.'s return will hurt Reed Sheppard, who performed well in two outings as his replacement in the starting lineup. Smith Jr. is coming off his best month of the season, having averaged 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in February.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
