Ime Udoka isn’t yet ready to make any changes to Houston’s usual starting lineup. But as the Rockets resume play Thursday in New Orleans after a week off for the NBA’s annual All-Star break, he’s making it clear that improvement from that group is sorely needed.
Fortunately, the Rockets have reinforcements on the way. Veteran point guard Fred VanVleet is back after missing five games with a left adductor strain, and that could potentially help guide young players such as Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
Rookie swingman Cam Whitmore is returning, as well, after sitting out Houston’s previous three games with a right ankle sprain.
But, is that enough to change results? It might not be, particularly when considering the upcoming schedule. Starting Thursday versus the Pelicans, Houston’s next six games are against New Orleans, Phoenix (three times), and Oklahoma City (twice). All are in the top six of the current Western Conference standings.
Four of those six are on the road, where Houston is just 5-21 this season, and they’ve lost six straight road contests overall.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 22
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (24-30)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
New Orleans Pelicans (33-22)
- Guard: CJ McCollum
- Guard: Herb Jones
- Forward: Brandon Ingram
- Forward: Zion Williamson
- Center: Jonas Valanciunas
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report for Thursday lists Steven Adams (right knee PCL surgery) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) as out, while Reggie Bullock (lower back pain) is questionable.
Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. are in the G League.
New Orleans is listing Dyson Daniels (left knee meniscectomy) as out against the Rockets, while Cody Zeller (left knee contusion) and Brandon Ingram (non-COVID illness) are questionable.
EJ Liddell and Dereon Seabron are in the NBA G League.
Feb. 22 uniform choices
- Rockets: Red Icon Edition
- Pelicans: White Association Edition
Here are the #Rockets uni records coming out of the #NBAAllStar Break. pic.twitter.com/Ne7uaeEIMU
— Rockets Tracker 🚀 (@RocketsTracker) February 20, 2024
Latest interviews
#Rockets back at practice today after the All-Star Break before tomorrow's game at New Orleans
Fred VanVleet talks 28 games to go for the @HoustonRockets to make a run at the playoffs
Our coverage will begin Thursday at 6:30PM on SCHN pic.twitter.com/eYpkGzyOqd
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 21, 2024
