After Sunday’s short-handed loss to Boston, the Houston Rockets are hoping to be back to nearly full strength when they finish a three-game homestand on Wednesday night versus Portland.
Second-year forward Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remains out, but Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. and Jeff Green are expected to return versus the Trail Blazers after missing the second half of Houston’s weekend back-to-back with minor injuries.
The Rockets (20-22) are 3-7 in their last 10 games, but they’re entering a weaker stretch of their schedule. After ending this homestand versus the Trail Blazers (12-31), Houston has a road back-to-back on Friday and Saturday at Charlotte (10-31) and Brooklyn (17-25).
Thus, on paper, it’s an opportunity for Houston to make up ground and atone for some of those recent struggles. The Rockets will also have a rest advantage versus Portland, which will be on the second night of a road back-to-back after losing at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
Jabari Smith Jr, Fred VanVleet and Jeff Green, who were all out on Sunday, practiced today. Rockets coach Ime Udoka said he expects them to play tomorrow vs. Portland. Tari Eason went through parts of practice but is headed to a "week-to-week" ramp up after being out so long.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 23, 2024