Houston Rockets Roster
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Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet (hip) will miss Friday's contest against Portland. He gets the night off because of a right hip contusion after erupting for a season-high 42 points on Thursday versus Utah. VanVleet's absence will likely open the door for Aaron Holiday to join the starting unit, although Jalen Green and Amen Thompson will be the biggest beneficiaries in the situation. Both should get more playmaking opportunities and shots. Green ate up just 19 minutes on Thursday and should be eager to perform well in a favorable matchup.
Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (ankle) will rejoin the action on Sunday versus Dallas but will carry a minutes restriction. His playing time will be capped at around 20 minutes as Houston doesn't want to push Whitmore too hard after seeing him miss nine games with a sprained knee. The 19-year-old has actually averaged 17.8 minutes for his rookie campaign, so Whitmore could still be able to provide his normal production. He's posted 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds for the season. Whitmore's return could rob a few minutes off Amen Thompson, but he's played very well lately and should continue to carry plenty of fantasy value.
Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. will miss Monday's game against Portland with a suspension. He was handed a one-game suspension for his altercation with Utah's Kris Dunn on Saturday. Smith Jr's absence will be a major blow for the playoff-chasing Rockets, who have racked up eight consecutive victories. Following Alperen Sengun's (ankle) injury, Smith Jr. has filled the starting center role. With him now sidelined, Jeff Green and Jock Landale should share the minutes at the five positions. Green is the more attractive fantasy option of the two and played great after Smith Jr.'s early exit at the weekend, scoring 21 points and registering four rebounds with a pair of blocks. A meeting with Portland could also be fruitful for him, as the Trail Blazers are allowing opposing centers to shoot 60.6 percent from the field.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (ankle) was diagnosed with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain. In addition, he also has a bone bruise in his right knee. Sengun's injury could have been much worse. However, the 21-year-old is expected to miss "several weeks" and is unlikely to return before the end of the regular season. Houston is grasping and clawing to make the Play-In, so fantasy managers might not see Sengun back on the floor unless the Rockets make a deep postseason run. The 2021 No. 16 overall pick has established himself as one of the NBA's best big men in his third year in the league. He's appeared in 63 games, amassing 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals, all significantly higher than last season. At any rate, while Sengun remains on the shelf, Houston could play small ball, meaning Jabari Smith Jr. would handle most of the work at the five. Jock Landale, coming off an 11-point, five-assist, two-steal showing on Tuesday versus the Spurs, should also maintain a firm grasp on a spot in the rotation.
Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (knee) will miss about three weeks as the season winds down. Whitmore is dealing with a sore right knee sprain that already had him ruled out for Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka confirmed that Whitmore will be out for "roughly three weeks" and will be re-evaluated around that time. The rookie averages 12.1 points on 46% shooting from the field, with 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 three-pointers made per game. Whitmore's absence should open more minutes for reserve forwards Jeff Green and Jae'Sean Tate. Fellow rookie Amen Thompson is already bound for a bigger role after getting slotted into the starting lineup in place of injured center Alperen Sengun, and this only helps his value.