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Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) questionable Friday
Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 8:21 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) is questionable for Friday's matchup with the Trail Blazers.
Analysis: Smith Jr. logged 42 minutes in Thursday's OT loss to the Warriors, and the Rockets may give him the night off for the second leg of a back-to-back set as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. If JSJ is unable to go, Tari Eason and Josh Okogie could see additional run. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson (ankle) posts 18/10/5/4 stat line
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 4:40 PM
Amen Thompson (ankle) accumulated 18 points (8-of-15 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 10 rebounds, five assists, four steals and one three-pointer in Thursday's loss to the Warriors.
Analysis: Thompson appeared to tweak his right ankle late in the third quarter of Thursday's game, but he was able to return after spending a little time on the bench. The Rockets' wing played 44 of a possible 53 minutes against the Warriors, and that's with Houston hosting Portland on Friday. Add in the ankle injury, and fantasy managers should not be surprised if Thompson shows up on the injury report. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün finishes OT defeat with 17 points
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 4:38 PM
Alperen ?engün recorded 17 points (8-of-20 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal in Thursday's loss to the Warriors.
Analysis: ?engün's seven assists on Thursday were the most in a game for him since February 25, when he recorded 11 as part of a triple-double against the Kings. The Rockets' center wasn't as productive against the Warriors, an unsurprising development, given the defensive abilities of Draymond Green and Al Horford. What should also make ?engün managers feel better is that the Rockets play twice more in Week 19, starting with the Trail Blazers on Friday. |
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Kevin Durant Kevin Durant records 23/6/3/3/1 line vs. GSW
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 4:38 PM
Kevin Durant accounted for 23 points (8-of-16 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and three three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the Warriors.
Analysis: Durant's streak of games with at least 30 points ended at three on Thursday, but he still shot 50 percent from the field and recorded a complete stat line. Since the All-Star break, the Rockets star has averaged 28.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.8 three-pointers per game while shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 93.8 percent from the foul line. |
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Dorian Finney-Smith Finney-Smith (ankle) out Thursday, in Friday
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 12:07 PM
The Rockets Wire
Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against the Warriors but will play on Friday against the Trail Blazers.
Analysis: Finney-Smith was due to take an injury management night for one of Houston's next two games since the team is playing a back-to-back. He'll sit on Thursday, which likely means more playing time for Josh Okogie. There's no need to consider adding Okogie in fantasy leagues. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün (illness) available vs. GSW
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 11:58 AM
Lachard Binkley
Alperen ?engün (illness) is available to play against the Warriors on Thursday.
Analysis: ?engün was initially listed as questionable for this game, but he'll be good to and will occupy his typical spot in the starting unit. He had 32 points and 12 rebounds in their last game and will look to stay hot in this one. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen ?engün (illness) questionable vs. Warriors
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 11:35 AM
NBA Injury Report
Alperen ?engün (illness) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: ?engün is dealing with an illness, casting some doubt on his availability for Thursday's game. If he's unable to play, the Rockets could more Clint Capela into the starting lineup, which would give him some value as a deep-league streamer. |
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Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) will play vs. GSW
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 9:49 AM
Will Kunkel
Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) will play against the Warriors on Thursday.
Analysis: Following a two-game absence, Smith will return to take on Golden State, which is what Rockets coach Ime Udoka had previously indicated. Reed Sheppard played well as a starter, but he will likely return to the bench with Smith returning. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson (ankle) will play vs. Warriors
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 9:47 AM
Will Kunkel
Amen Thompson (ankle) will be available to play against the Warriors on Thursday.
Analysis: Thompson exited early from Monday's win over Washington after injuring his ankle in the fourth quarter, but that won't keep him from suiting up against Golden State. He'll occupy his typical spot in the starting unit. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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