Houston Rockets Roster
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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.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (knee, ankle) suffered a scary injury during Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings. The big man injured his leg and needed a wheelchair to help transport him back to the locker room. At first glance, it appeared Sengun suffered a significant leg injury. He has been diagnosed with a right knee bone bruise and a severely sprained right ankle. It looks like the Rockets dodged a bullet, but his timetable is still unknown right now. Jock Landale figures to be the one replacing Sengun in the starting five. Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore should also see additional minutes coming their way. Fantasy managers might want to use a wait-and-see approach right away.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet helped lead his team to a 122-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. The veteran point guard was on the court for 38 minutes, recording 22 points (5-of-8 FGs, 10-of-10 FTs) while grabbing four rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and two 3-pointers. VanVleet has been on fire lately, collecting 21 points in three of the last five Rockets contests. Despite a low field-goal percentage for most of the season, the 30-year-old remains a valuable asset to fantasy managers who have him rostered.