Next Game
Schedule
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Thu, Oct 15
8:30 pm
NBAt
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| Regular season | |
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Fri, Oct 23
9:30 pm
AMZN
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1:43CBS Sports Top 100: Changing of the Guard
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1:44Porzingis Reports to Warriors After Undisclosed Injury
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1:59Rockets Take Down Mavericks in NBA Preseason
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0:56LeBron James Games To Watch: 76ers at Rockets
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1:00LeBron James Games to Watch: 76ers at Warriors
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22:01NBA Releases Notable Schedule Dates
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1:58LeBron James 'Not Going to be Rushed' into Decision
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1:57LeBron's Relationship with Spoelstra & Kerr
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1:18Lakers Emerge as Potential Top Spot for Walker Kessler
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1:33Top Landing Spots for Jaylen Brown
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9:45Biggest Questions for the NBA's Western Conference
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1:14Rockets: Is Their Franchise Player on the Roster?
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1:45Latest on Jaylen Brown's Future with the Celtics
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1:42Jaylen Brown Best Fit: Houston Rockets?
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1:43LeBron James to Warriors for Final Seasons?
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1:56Where does LaMelo Ball-Anthony Edwards combo rank among NBA's best?
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11:15LaMelo Ball Joins Anthony Edwards on the Timberwolves
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1:17What Are the Expectations for the Timberwolves?
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1:00What's Next for Fred VanVleet and the Rockets?
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1:42
What's Next for Celtics Star Jaylen Brown?
2026 NBA Draft Picks
| Rd | Pick | Selection | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 39 |
OVR RK: 67 • POS RK: 13 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 185
| B- |
| 2 | 53 |
OVR RK: 45 • POS RK: 6 • HT: 6-11 • WT: 237
| B+ |
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Top Rockets News
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Rockets' Clint Capela: Grabs nine boards in start
Capela finished with five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and one block in 24 minutes as a starter during Sunday's 132-115 preseason loss to Dallas.
Capela moved into the starting lineup with Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams resting, providing a solid presence on the glass despite limited offensive involvement. The veteran center also committed three turnovers but demonstrated his rebounding ability in an expanded role. Capela figures to serve primarily as a reserve big man, limiting his fantasy ceiling this season.
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Rockets' Oscar Tshiebwe: Makes most of limited run
Tshiebwe finished with 12 points (4-5 FG, 4-6 FT), four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 12 minutes during Sunday's 132-115 preseason loss to Dallas.
Tshiebwe made the most of his limited opportunities, scoring efficiently while contributing across several categories. All four of his rebounds came on the offensive glass, highlighting his ability to generate second-chance opportunities. However, with Houston featuring considerable frontcourt depth, Tshiebwe faces an uphill battle to earn consistent regular-season minutes.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Contributes across multiple categories
Thompson finished with 14 points (4-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block across 30 minutes in Sunday's 132-115 preseason loss to the Mavericks.
Thompson delivered a versatile performance, leading all Houston players with six assists and finishing second with seven rebounds. Despite his shooting woes, Thompson's value will also come from his multi-category contributions rather than just his scoring prowess. On that note, he looks ready to go for the start of the 2026-27 regular season, where he should be a starter in the backcourt next to Fred VanVleet (rest).
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Knocks down four triples
Sheppard recorded 17 points (5-12 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 3-4 FT), a rebound, an assist, a steal and two blocks across 25 minutes in Sunday's 132-115 preseason loss to the Mavericks.
Sheppard remained aggressive from beyond the arc, attempting 10 three-pointers, and his 17 points ranked second among Houston's starters. As good as he was as a three-point threat, Sheppard's five turnovers are troubling, especially since he's expected to have a sizable backcourt role off the bench as a secondary playmaker behind Fred VanVleet, who didn't play Sunday due to rest. Sheppard's upside in fantasy ahead of the 2026-27 regular season will rely heavily on his playing time, but his calling card will be his three-point shooting and secondary playmaking.
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Rockets' Marcus Smart: Scores 20 points vs. Dallas
Smart finished with 20 points (7-13 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, four assists and a block across 24 minutes in Sunday's 132-115 preseason loss to the Mavericks.
Smart delivered a strong offensive performance and led all Houston players in scoring -- and it's worth noting each starter played over 20 minutes, so the Rockets are ramping up the workload for their rotation members. Smart is likely to open the season as a bench option but should handle sizable minutes because of his elite defense, three-point shooting and energy off the bench. This was an encouraging performance, but don't expect Smart to hover around the 20-point mark consistently once the regular season begins Oct. 21 in a rematch against Dallas.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Not expected to play
Adams (rest) isn't expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Mavericks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Adams totaled two points (1-1 FG), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 14 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks, marking his first game action since undergoing ankle surgery in January. The veteran center is expected to be the primary backup to Alperen Sengun this season.
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Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Likely resting Sunday
Sengun (rest) isn't expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Mavericks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Sengun recorded 16 points (6-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and three blocks in 22 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas but will take a seat Sunday. Sengun is coming off another impressive year, averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.3 minutes per game across 72 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. However, the star center shot just 69.1 percent from the charity stripe and 30.5 percent from downtown. He's been focused on improving in those areas this offseason, and an uptick in efficiency would be a significant step toward becoming a more well-rounded player.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Not expected to play Sunday
VanVleet (rest) isn't expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Mavericks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
VanVleet made his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury more than a year ago, finishing with 17 points (5-12 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven assists, two rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas. The veteran point guard will likely be limited throughout the 2026-27 season, but he's on track to be the starting point guard on Opening Night.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Struggles with turnovers
Thompson finished with eight points (4-8 FG), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
As usual, Thompson contributed across the board. However, he committed an uncharacteristic six turnovers and didn't attempt a three-pointer. Thompson has been working on his free throws and jumper with shooting coach Chip Engelland this offseason after making just 21.6 percent of his three-point attempts last year. Despite being a subpar three-point shooter, Thompson turned in a career year in 2025-26, averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks across 37.4 minutes per game in 79 regular-season appearances. He parlayed that success into a five-year, $208 million extension this offseason.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Logs 14 minutes in return
Adams totaled two points (1-1 FG), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 14 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Adams returned to the court after undergoing ankle surgery in January, playing his usual role off the bench. Although his skill set doesn't really lend itself to viable fantasy value, Adams' importance to the Rockets cannot be overstated. He will presumably serve as the primary backup behind Alperen Sengun, typically logging minutes in the mid to high teens.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Serviceable effort in preseason win
Smith totaled 12 points (4-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 22 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Smith filled his usual role, operating as a complementary piece on offense, while providing the team with a serviceable defensive presence. The return of Fred VanVleet should allow Smith to get a few more open looks, although not to the point where his overall fantasy appeal changes too much. At this point, he should be considered a viable top-100 target, perhaps slightly higher in two-center leagues.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Productive in return
VanVleet finished with 17 points (5-12 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven assists, two rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas.
VanVleet made his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury more than 12 months ago. Despite the layoff, VanVleet looked good in his 24 minutes, providing the team with some much-needed guidance. Although there could be some limitations heading into the season proper, the fact that he played 24 minutes in what was basically a meaningless game bodes well for anyone willing to take a chance on him in drafts.
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Rockets' Jae'Sean Tate: Records DNP-CD
Tate (coach's decision) did not play during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Tate, Marcus Smart and Clint Capela were all sidelined during Friday's preseason opener, but there were no injuries reported. Tate is still expected to make the Opening Night roster, but his role will be limited as a veteran presence on a contending team.
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Rockets' Clint Capela: Doesn't play Friday
Capela (coach's decision) did not play during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Capela, Marcus Smart and Jae'Sean Tate didn't leave the bench during the preseason opener, but there were no injuries reported. Capela is slated to be the third-string center behind Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams this season.
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Rockets' Marcus Smart: Takes night off
Smart (coach's decision) did not play during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Smart, Clint Capela and Jae'Sean Tate all took a seat for the preseason opener, but there were no reported injuries. Smart has played nearly 700 career regular-season games and spent multiple years in Boston under now-Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, so the veteran point guard likely doesn't need many preseason minutes to get acquainted with his new squad.
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Rockets' Bogdan Bogdanovic: Modest production in blowout
Bogdanovic registered four points (1-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four assists and two steals in 16 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Bogdanovic made only 23 regular-season appearances last year and averaged fewer than 20 minutes per game for the first time in his career. The sharpshooter should have a reserve role in Houston's backcourt if he can stay healthy, but injuries have derailed the veteran's career in recent seasons.
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Rockets' Bruce Thornton: Makes most of limited minutes
Thornton recorded 13 points (4-6 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two assists and one block in nine minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Despite playing single-digit minutes, the rookie was one of seven Rockets to score in double figures during their high-scoring preseason opener in China. Thornton will have to string together multiple performances like this if he's going to crack the Opening Night rotation, as he's currently behind Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic on the backcourt depth chart.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Sinks four triples in win
Sheppard produced 16 points (6-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one steal in 19 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Sheppard has shown flashes of his upside during his first two years in Houston, but he hasn't been able to put everything together, and things aren't going to get easier in terms of playing time. Fred VanVleet is healthy after missing all of last season with an ACL tear. The Rockets also signed Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic this offseason, plus they drafted Bruce Thornton. Sheppard should still have a role, but it's unclear if it'll be enough minutes to be fantasy relevant.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Game-high 20 points off bench
Eason posted 20 points (6-10 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Eason led all scorers with 20 points and finished one rebound shy of Alperen Sengun for the game high in boards. The 2022 No. 17 overall pick signed a five-year extension this offseason after averaging 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks in 23.6 minutes across 221 regular-season appearances. With Houston's frontcourt nearly identical to last season, Eason is expected to serve as the primary backup behind Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith in 2026-27.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Will sit out Sunday
Durant will not play in Sunday's preseason rematch against Dallas, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports. The forward finished Friday's preseason contest with 15 points (7-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two assists and one block in 23 minutes.
According to coach Ime Udoka, Durant was initially scheduled to play only the first half Friday but requested additional minutes to build chemistry with Fred VanVleet and his other new teammates. The veteran forward's absence Sunday appears to be a planned precaution rather than an injury-related setback, and Houston should have additional minutes available for its other wings and forwards
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Injuries
| Player | Injury |
|---|---|
| A. Sengun C Alperen Sengun C | Rest |
| K. Durant PF Kevin Durant PF | Not Injury Related |
| F. VanVleet PG Fred VanVleet PG | Rest |
| S. Adams C Steven Adams C | Rest |