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Tari Eason Tari Eason records 14/5/2/3/1 line in Game 6 loss
Fri, May 1, 2026, 6:22 PM
Tari Eason amassed 14 points (5-of-14 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in Friday's Game 6 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: Eason recorded a complete stat line in his final game of the 2025-26, and potentially his last as a Houston Rocket. The fourth-year forward will be a restricted free agent this summer, and there should be some options for him to choose from. However, availability has capped his fantasy ceiling in recent seasons, and that may also affect his market in free agency. After appearing in all 82 games as a rookie, Eason has played in 60 regular-season games or fewer in each of the last three. |
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Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. struggles in Game 6 defeat
Fri, May 1, 2026, 6:22 PM
Jabari Smith Jr. accounted for nine points (3-of-11 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), 12 rebounds, three assists, one block and one three-pointer in Friday's Game 6 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: Smith did his best to shoulder a heavier workload in the aftermath of Kevin Durant's ankle injury, but the fourth-year forward's efficiency slipped against the Lakers. Shooting 3-of-11 from the field in Game 6, Smith had just one game in which he shot 50 percent or better from the field. He did grab 12 rebounds on Friday, recording his second double-double of the series, but this was a disappointing end to the 2025-26 season. Regarding Smith's fantasy prospects for next season, he has top-100 potential, but the ceiling is somewhat limited with Kevin Durant in the fold. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson scores team-high 18 points vs. LAL
Fri, May 1, 2026, 6:21 PM
Amen Thompson tallied 18 points (7-of-14 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks in Friday's Game 6 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: Thompson, who led the Rockets in scoring in Game 6, had two 20-point games in this series. While a highly valuable fantasy option, especially for managers punting three-pointers, the Rockets' wing needs to improve his perimeter shot heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Thompson does not need to turn into the second coming of Stephen Curry, but a respectable jump shot could go a long way toward unlocking even more of his potential on the offensive end of the floor. Using a top-25 pick on Thompson in drafts next fall would not be that big of a reach in category league formats, while managers in points leagues can afford to wait a little bit. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün scores 17 points in season finale
Fri, May 1, 2026, 6:21 PM
Alperen ?engün finished Friday's Game 6 loss to the Lakers with 17 points (5-of-12 FGs, 7-of-10 FTs), 11 rebounds, one assist and two blocked shots.
Analysis: After going off for 33 points in Game 3, ?engün scored 19 points or less in each of the final three games of the series. While the Rockets got away with that in Games 4 and 5, that was not the case in Game 6. Only having Kevin Durant for one game certainly didn't help matters, nor did Houston's failure to address the point guard position in Fred VanVleet's absence. ?engün did not provide the second-round value that many fantasy managers expected before the season began, but he was not far off in eight-cat formats. He won't last long on draft boards next fall, even with a healthy Durant and VanVleet in the starting lineup. |
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Kevin Durant Report: Kevin Durant (ankle) to miss Game 6
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 3:01 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Kevin Durant (ankle) will not be available for Friday's Game 6 against the Lakers.
Analysis: Having suffered a tendon bruise in his knee before the series, Durant has been out since Game 2 due to a bone bruise in his left ankle. His continued absence means another start for Reed Sheppard, while the Rockets will also require more production from Alperen ?engün, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson. Sheppard played 35 minutes in Wednesday's Game 5 victory, finishing with 12 points, six assists, three steals and two three-pointers. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson plays 46 minutes in Game 5 victory
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:55 PM
Law Murray
Amen Thompson amassed 15 points (4-of-14 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and two three-pointers in Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Lakers.
Analysis: Thompson exited Game 5 with 6:23 remaining in the second quarter, sitting for just over one minute before returning to action. And that would be the last time that the Rockets' wing rested outside of halftime, and he played 46 of a possible 48 minutes. Not known for his perimeter shooting ability, Thompson hit two corner three-pointers in Game 5, somewhat making up for a 2-of-9 effort from inside the arc. Whether or not the shots are falling, Thompson is a critical member of the Rockets' rotation, which means that he's going to log heavy minutes on a nightly basis. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün posts 14/9/8/2/1 line in Game 5 win
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:55 PM
Alperen ?engün accounted for 14 points (5-of-9 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one blocked shot in Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Lakers.
Analysis: ?engün and the Rockets have staved off elimination twice, most recently limiting the Lakers to 93 points in Game 5. He was not as productive scoring-wise on Wednesday, but the Rockets' center finished with solid numbers in the rebound, assist and steal categories. That said, ?engün must be better on the glass in Game 6, even if he isn't the Rockets player corralling every available rebound. Lakers center Deandre Ayton grabbed ten offensive rebounds in Game 5, with that production being one reason why the Lakers had a chance to win the game late. |
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Tari Eason Tari Eason drops 18 points in Game 5 victory
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:54 PM
Tari Eason tallied 18 points (6-of-11 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), five rebounds, one assist, one block and two three-pointers in Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Lakers.
Analysis: After dropping 20 points as part of a complete stat line in Houston's Game 4 victory, Eason came through with another solid performance in Game 5. The Rockets forward shot 4-of-5 from inside the arc, with foul trouble being the reason why he played just 31 minutes. Houston will need Eason to remain on the floor longer for Game 6, especially now that Austin Reaves is back in the Lakers' rotation. The Rockets host the Lakers on Friday, needing a win to force a Game 7. |
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Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. scores 22 as HOU forces Game 6
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:54 PM
Jabari Smith Jr. finished Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Lakers with 22 points (6-of-13 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs), seven rebounds, three steals, two blocks and four three-pointers.
Analysis: No team has ever won a best-of-7 series after losing the first three games, but the Rockets are halfway to making history. After shooting 4-of-15 from the field in Game 4, Smith was better in Game 5. The 6-foot-10 forward led the Rockets in scoring on Wednesday, shooting 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, and his stat line lacked only a steal. The series returns to Houston for Game 6 on Friday, and the Rockets should feel confident about their chances of forcing a Game 7. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant (ankle) to remain out for Game 5
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 2:27 PM
NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant (ankle) has been ruled out for Game 5 against the Lakers on Wednesday.
Analysis: Despite it being another elimination game for the Rockets, Durant still won't be available to suit up. Reed Sheppard should continue to start after scoring 17 points in Houston's Game 4 victory. If they're able to extend the series, there is a chance Durant is able to make a return to the court, which would help the Rockets' chances of making history by coming back from down 0-3. |
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Tari Eason Tari Eason racks up five steals in Game 4 blowout
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:45 PM
Tari Eason produced 20 points (7-of-10 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, five steals, one block and two three-pointers in Sunday's Game 4 win over the Lakers.
Analysis: Eason was one of four Rockets to record at least three steals in Game 4, and the team finished with a staggering 19 on the night. His five steals were a playoff career-high for the Rockets forward, who also rebounded nicely from poor shooting in Games 2 and 3. In those defeats, Eason totaled 15 points on 6-of-23 shooting from the field. And with Kevin Durant (ankle) injured, Houston can't afford to have Eason struggling with his shot. They'll hope that he can carry his Game 4 performance into Game 5 on Wednesday. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün scores 19 points in Game 4 victory
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:43 PM
Alperen ?engün recorded 19 points (6-of-12 FGs, 7-of-13 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in Sunday's Game 4 win over the Lakers.
Analysis: ?engün was one of five Rockets starters to finish the Game 4 victory in double figures, and he's scored at least 19 points in all four games. The Rockets' center was not as productive as he was in Game 3, but ?engün's receiving help from multiple teammates factored into Houston's ability to extend the series to Game 5. Over the last two games, he has shot a combined 21-of-39 from the field, totaling 52 points, while also accounting for 22 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocked shots. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson drops game-high 23 points in Game 4
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:43 PM
Amen Thompson accumulated 23 points (10-of-16 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists and one steal in Sunday's Game 4 win over the Lakers.
Analysis: Thompson and the Rockets avoided the sweep with a commanding victory in Game 4, with their defense leading the way. Houston forced 23 turnovers on the night, leading to 30 points off turnovers. Add in 23 fast break points, and the Rockets were able to coast to a 19-point victory. Thompson, who logged 41 minutes, led the way offensively in both points and assists, and he has totaled 49 points over the last two games. The Rockets will need similar production in Game 5 on Wednesday. |
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Kevin Durant Reports: Kevin Durant (ankle) to sit out Game 4
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 10:04 AM
Shams Charania
According to multiple outlets, Kevin Durant (ankle) has not been cleared to play in Sunday's Game 4 against the Lakers.
Analysis: With their season on the line, the Rockets will go into Game 4 without their leading scorer. Despite around-the-clock treatment, the veteran wing has not been cleared to play through an injury that would likely sideline him for multiple weeks during the regular season. Reed Sheppard is in line to make another start, and the Rockets will need increased offensive production from Alperen ?engün. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant (ankle) questionable Sunday vs. LAL
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 8:18 AM
Kevin Durant (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 against the Lakers.
Analysis: Durant missed Game 1 with a knee tendon bruise before coming back for Game 2 and spraining his ankle. The 37-year-old small forward appeared to be away from the team after being ruled out for Game 3, which was another Rockets loss. Now he's questionable for Game 4 on Sunday. Reed Sheppard would return to the bench if Durant is available. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen Sengun has 33/16/6 line in Game 3 loss
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:35 PM
Alperen Sengun had 33 points (15-of-27 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), 16 rebounds, six assists, three steals, one block and one three-pointer in Friday's Game 3 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: By almost any measure, Sengun had a great game in Game 3. He had 33 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. He added three steals and a block on the defensive end. He finished +10 in 47 minutes played including overtime. Still, without Kevin Durant (ankle), the Rockets collapsed down the stretch of regulation and the Lakers took total control of the series with the overtime win. Sengun and the Rockets will be playing to avoid elimination in Game 4 on Sunday. |
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Kevin Durant Shams: Kevin Durant (ankle) out for Game 3 Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 12:40 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Kevin Durant (ankle) is out for Game 3 against the Lakers on Friday.
Analysis: Durant missed Game 1 with a tendon bruise in his right knee and is now set to miss Game 3 with a sprained left ankle he suffered in Game 2. Reed Sheppard is an option to move into the starting lineup with Durant out. The injury is certainly a blow to the Rockets and a break for the Lakers. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant (ankle) questionable for Game 3
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 11:21 AM
NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant (ankle) is questionable for Friday's Game 3 against the Lakers.
Analysis: Durant, who missed Game 1 with a tendon bruise in his right knee, is now dealing with a sprained left ankle. With the Rockets in a 0-2 hole, they can ill afford to be without their best offensive player in Game 3. Reed Sheppard would return to the starting lineup if Durant can't play. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant has 23 points in Game 2 loss
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 7:43 PM
Kevin Durant had 23 points (7-of-12 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), six rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in Tuesday's Game 2 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: While Durant otherwise had a nice game offensively as he led the Rockets with 23 points on 12 attempts from the field, his nine turnovers in Game 2 were glaring. The 37-year-old small forward returned for Game 2 after missing the first game of the series with a knee tendon bruise. Durant and the Rockets will have to regroup and try to hold serve as the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday. |
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Kevin Durant Shams: Kevin Durant (knee) available for Game 2
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 3:16 PM
Shams Charania
Kevin Durant (knee) is available for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Lakers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Analysis: Durant missed Saturday's Game 1 loss to the Lakers with a knee tendon bruise. The 27-year-old small forward is back for Game 2, according to Charania. Durant will face off in the playoffs against LeBron James for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals. |
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