| News |
|---|
|
Amen Thompson Amen Thompson (ankle) posts 22/12/4/2 stat line
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 3:36 PM
Varun Shankar
Amen Thompson (ankle) amassed 22 points (10-of-15 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and one three-pointer in Monday's win over the Wizards.
Analysis: Thompson rolled his right ankle during the fourth quarter of Monday's game, requiring a trip to the locker room and an early end to his night. However, fantasy managers received solid value from the third-year guard, whose final line only lacked a blocked shot. The Rockets are off until Thursday, so it may be a bit longer before the team provides an update on Thompson's availability for the rest of the week. |
|
Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün records 32/12/3/1/1 stat line
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 3:35 PM
Alperen ?engün accounted for 32 points (12-of-20 FGs, 8-of-11 FTs), 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in Monday's win over the Wizards.
Analysis: Like Kevin Durant, who scored 30 points, ?engün took full advantage of a Wizards' rotation lacking size in Monday's victory. He was responsible for eight turnovers, but many fantasy managers will be fine with ?engün's 30-point double-double. The 32 points were three more than the center's tally in Houston's final two games of Week 18. The good news for fantasy managers is that the Rockets play three more games in Week 19, starting with the Warriors on Thursday. |
|
Kevin Durant Kevin Durant drops 30 points, seven rebounds
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 3:35 PM
Kevin Durant finished Monday's win over the Wizards with 30 points (8-of-15 FGs, 11-of-11 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and three three-pointers.
Analysis: Making his annual return to the DMV, Durant has now scored 30 points or more in five of his last seven appearances. The only issue for the Suitland, Maryland native on Monday was the turnover count, as he racked up six. However, that isn't a concern for those in leagues that don't factor in turnovers or who are already punting that category. The Rockets don't play again until Thursday and close Week 19 with three games over the final four days. |
|
Tari Eason Tari Eason ejected during third quarter vs. WAS
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 2:52 PM
Tari Eason was ejected from Monday's game against the Wizards with 2:52 remaining in the third quarter.
Analysis: Eason was assessed two technical fouls for shoving Washington's Jamir Watkins on two separate occasions, prompting players on both teams to break them up. Eason played 25 minutes, finishing with nine points (4-of-11 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), six rebounds, two assists and one steal. |
|
Jabari Smith Udoka: Smith Jr. (ankle) expected back Thursday
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 1:25 PM
ClutchFans
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said during his pregame availability that he expects Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) to return on Thursday against the Warriors.
Analysis: Smith, who sprained his right ankle during Thursday's win over the Magic, has missed the last two games, including Monday's matchup with the Wizards. Udoka also said he'll likely return to his usual starting lineup when Smith returns, which means Reed Sheppard is the odd man out. While the second-year guard will still play plenty, his fantasy value takes a hit in the reserve role. |
|
Amen Thompson Amen Thompson records 20/11/4/1 stat line
Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 12:24 PM
Amen Thompson tallied 20 points (7-of-16 FGs, 6-of-12 FTs), 11 rebounds, four assists and one steal in Saturday's loss to the Heat.
Analysis: While his percentages weren't good, Thompson did finish Saturday's defeat with a double-double and his second 20-point performance in three games. While it's highly unlikely to change between now and the end of the season, Thompson needs to further develop his perimeter shot, at least to the point where opposing teams have to respect it. While he can still be effective without a reliable shot, it makes producing offense as a scorer and creator more difficult. |
|
Kevin Durant Kevin Durant drops game-high 32 points vs. Miami
Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 12:24 PM
Kevin Durant finished Saturday's loss to the Heat with 32 points (12-of-20 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and two three-pointers.
Analysis: The Heat used multiple defenses to slow down Durant, but nothing worked. In addition to shooting 60 percent from the field, the Rockets' forward dished out eight assists, equal to his tally in his prior two games. Add in the rebounds, blocks and three-pointers, and this was an excellent afternoon to have Durant rostered. The Rockets play four games in Week 19, starting with the Wizards on Monday in the final game of their road trip. |
|
Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) to miss next two games
Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:27 AM
Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) is expected to miss the next two games.
Analysis: Reed Sheppard is set to start for the next two games in Smith's absence and is worth rostering in most formats. With Smith ruled out for the next two games, the earliest he could return would be Thursday against the Warriors. |
|
Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) ruled out vs. Miami
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:05 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) is out for Saturday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: Smith rolled his right ankle late in Thursday's win over the Magic and limped back to the locker room immediately. His absence on Saturday opens up a spot in the starting lineup, with Reed Sheppard and Josh Okogie being potential replacements. Sheppard, who's worth rostering in fantasy leagues in his current reserve role, offers a higher ceiling. |
|
Kevin Durant KD drops season-high 40 points in win over Magic
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 5:14 PM
Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 40 points (14-of-28 FGs, 10-of-10 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two three-pointers in a 113-108 win over the Magic on Thursday.
Analysis: Durant went nuclear in this game, setting new season highs for both scoring and shot attempts in the win. Since the All-Star break, KD has averaged 27.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and three triples per game, and he has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in each of his last three games. He'll look to stay hot in Miami on Saturday to wrap up the week. |
|
Amen Thompson HOU starts Amen, Durant, Eason, Smith, ?engün
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 1:08 PM
NBA Lineups
Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen ?engün will start Thursday's game against the Magic.
Analysis: Thompson is back in the Rockets' lineup after sitting out Wednesday's win over the Kings, pushing Reed Sheppard to the bench. While Sheppard will remain in the rotation, his playing time will likely decrease. |
|
Amen Thompson Amen Thompson is back on Thursday
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 7:56 AM
Amen Thompson (quad) will be active on Thursday against the Magic.
Analysis: Thompson was out on Wednesday, which allowed Reed Sheppard to step into the starting lineup and post 28 points with a career-high seven three-pointers made. Given how well he played, we'd have to assume that Sheppard will still see solid minutes on Thursday, but Thompson should be back in the starting lineup and play close to his normal role. |
|
Kevin Durant Kevin Durant drops 21 points, five assists vs. SAC
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 4:41 PM
Kevin Durant accounted for 21 points (8-of-13 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, five assists and two three-pointers in Wednesday's win over the Kings.
Analysis: Durant had a rather routine night at the office, as the Rockets were never really challenged by the Kings. He played 28 minutes, and that should keep the 37-year-old in good spirits for Thursday's game against the Magic. Over the past month, Durant has been a top-25 player in eight-cat formats, according to Basketball Monster. Thursday's game is the first of two that Houston will play before Week 18 concludes. |
|
Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün posts 26/13/11/2/3 line vs. SAC
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 4:40 PM
Alperen ?engün tallied 26 points (9-of-13 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), 13 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, three blocks and one three-pointer in Wednesday's win over the Kings.
Analysis: ?engün put on a show at the Kings' expense on Wednesday, recording the 11th triple-double of his NBA career. With no Amen Thompson due to injury, even more of the playmaking responsibilities landed on ?engün's shoulders, and he was excellent. Over the past month, the Rockets' center has been a fourth-round player in eight-cat formats, according to Basketball Monster. ?engün and the Rockets should face a far stiffer test on Thursday when they visit the Magic. |
|
Dorian Finney-Smith Finney-Smith (ankle) out Wednesday, in Thursday
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 12:28 PM
Lachard Binkley
Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) will sit out Wednesday's game against the Kings but be available for Thursday's game against the Magic.
Analysis: Finney-Smith's availability does not affect fantasy basketball, but it does free up minutes for some of Houston's other reserves. Josh Okogie and Aaron Holiday should play more against the Kings, but neither is worth the risk in most fantasy leagues. |
|
Amen Thompson Amen Thompson (quad) out Wednesday vs. Kings
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 9:33 AM
NBA Injury Report
Amen Thompson (quad) is out for Wednesday's matchup with the Kings.
Analysis: Thompson is dealing with left quadricep tendonitis, and the injury will cost him at least one game. In Thompson's absence, Reed Sheppard could join the starting lineup, making him an intriguing streamer in a favorable matchup with Sacramento's shorthanded defense. |
|
Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. has 31 points, nine boards in win
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 6:03 PM
Jabari Smith Jr. had 31 points (12-of-17 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), nine rebounds, three steals, three blocks and six three-pointers in the Rockets' 125-105 victory over the Jazz on Monday.
Analysis: Smith led the Rockets in scoring with 31 points in the victory over the Jazz on Monday. The Rockets turned the ball over 26 times combined, but still cruised to a 20-point victory. The 22-year-old power forward has provided top-40 per game value over the last two weeks, according to Basketball Monster. The Rockets have three more games in Week 18, the next of which comes on Wednesday against the Kings. |
|
Jae'Sean Tate Udoka: Jae'Sean Tate (knee) has MCL sprain
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 2:36 PM
Adam Wexler
Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters Jae'Sean Tate (knee) suffered an MCL sprain will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Analysis: Udoka admitted that a grade two MCL sprain typically sidelines players for 4-6 weeks, but noted that the Rockets will re-evaluate Tate every two weeks. This isn't good news for the 30-year-old small forward. His absence doesn't impact fantasy basket ball, though Dorian Finney-Smith could see more minutes off the bench. |
|
Jae'Sean Tate Jae'Sean Tate (knee) ruled out vs. Utah
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 9:03 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jae'Sean Tate (knee) is out for Monday's game against the Jazz.
Analysis: Tate sprained his right knee during Saturday's loss to the Knicks. His absence does not affect fantasy basketball, but the Rockets may give fellow reserve Dorian Finney-Smith a few more minutes. |
|
Amen Thompson Amen Thompson posts 10 rebounds, seven assists
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 5:54 PM
Amen Thompson accounted for 12 points (5-of-9 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one blocked shot in Saturday's loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: Thompson, whose defense kept Jalen Brunson under wraps for the first three quarters of Saturday's defeat, recorded his 11th double-double of the season. All that was missing from his stat line was a three-pointer, but that has never been a strength of the third-year guard. Even with Thompson not bringing three-point value to the table, he has been a top-50 player in eight-cat formats. Given his role within the Rockets' rotation, that should not change anytime soon. |
Connect With Us:
