Veteran forward Jae’Sean Tate is likely to make his regular-season debut Wednesday in Utah, but center Alperen Sengun will miss a second straight game due to an illness, according to the Rockets.
Barring a setback, Tate will play after missing Houston’s first four games with left ankle soreness, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Tate’s return gives Houston a much-needed defensive frontcourt presence long with a useful ballhandler and facilitator to help bench units.
Sengun, however, will not travel with the team to Utah and is set to miss his second straight game. Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Sengun plans to rejoin the team and return to the court during the four-game road trip, which features matchups against the Jazz, Trail Blazers, Suns and Clippers.
In addition to Sengun, Houston remains without center Bruno Fernando and rookie guard TyTy Washington. Each are dealing with left knee sprains. Their return timetables are not known.
