Something has been in the air lately, almost like a bug—or perhaps an injury bug? Jokes aside, both Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. have had ankle injuries in recent games. Amen hurt his ankle in Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards, while Jabari was injured during last Thursday’s game against the Orlando Magic.

Houston’s upcoming injury report is anticipated to include an official severity update for Amen, and Jabari’s comeback is anticipated on Thursday when Houston plays the Golden State Warriors. Smith and Thompson are both dealing with ankle issues, which is testing Houston’s depth. The coaching staff has been compelled to experiment with lineup combinations, increasing the responsibility of secondary scorers and bench contributions. The absence of two young building blocks also affects chemistry. Thompson and Smith make up the squad’s long-term core; their extended absence disrupts the team’s identity-building process.

Luckily for Houston, neither injury is currently believed to be a season-ending one. Both players remain vital to the Rockets’ present and future objectives. Thompson’s top priorities will be steadiness and regaining confidence when going downhill. Smith’s main goal is to ensure that the ankle is strong enough to endure defensive shifts and heavy minute workloads. As the season goes on, both talent and health might determine the Rockets’ destiny. Houston will have two dynamic players who can alter the tempo of a game on any given night if Smith and Thompson heal completely. Without Thompson and Smith, expect more minutes from members of the “stay ready crew” such as Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green, along with Reed Sheppard starting.

The Rockets will be back in action Thursday at 6:30 pm as they take on the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center. You can watch the game on SCHN, and as always, be sure to check back at The Dream Shake for both pre- and post-game content.

Dear Steven Adams,

When you became a Houston Rocket in 2024, I was ecstatic. I had enjoyed following you since I was a 12-year-old kid watching the Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder playoff series in 2017. I followed you to New Orleans and Memphis, always cheering for you. On that February afternoon two years ago to the day, the Rockets changed for the better. At first, fans wondered how you would impact the team since you were coming off an injury. I knew right away you would be the perfect backup to Alperen Sengun.

When the 2024-2025 season first started, you came out slow, unable to play a lot of minutes, and not playing back-to-backs. I knew, however, that you would figure it out. But as the season progressed, you started to play better, and it seemed like you were settling in and finding your feet. In late February and early March, coach Ime Udoka began experimenting with a double-big lineup. Essentially, Udoka began running Adams with Alperen Sengun on the floor at the same time, and it worked!

You saved us versus the Pacers, in a game where the Rockets were struggling. Similarly, versus New Orleans, you led us to victory. When you were on the floor, Houston was a +17, and with you off the floor, Houston was a -5. You and Sengun’s tandem proved essential for grabbing rebounds, clogging the paint, and limiting the Pelicans’ driving opportunities. In the second half, you helped Houston hold New Orleans to only 38 points. We’ve watched you set monster picks, grab boards, block shots, and be just a general all-around difference-maker.

Off the court, you’re a great leader and teammate. I loved watching you and Reed Sheppard at the Houston Rodeo last year, and you’re always a joy to watch in interviews.

Get well soon, Stevo, we miss you. And come back stronger next season.

Regards,

Holly

The Houston Rockets’ third-ranked offensive attack hinges heavily on their ability to outmuscle opponents on the offensive glass. Houston’s 16.1 offensive rebounds pace the league.

And their 18.8 second-chance points also leads the league.

Unsurprisingly, the Rockets have four players that rank in the top-25 in offensive rebounds, in Steven Adams, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Clint Capela. 

That approach figures to look different for awhile.

Reserve center (and quasi-starter) Steven Adams will be out indefinitely, as he suffered an ankle injury in Houston’s 119-110 revenge victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Adams went down in the fourth quarter and had to be helped off the court by his teammates, which was a sign of the severity of the injury and degree of pain that Adams was in.

Adams has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 ankle sprain, which will force him to miss an extended amount of time.

According to Rockets coach Ime Udoka, Adams won’t be back anytime soon.

On the season, Adams is averaging 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.5 offensive rebounds and 50.4 percent from the field. 

His 4.5 offensive boards leads the league.

That number illustrates exactly how dominant of a rebounder he’s been, as that’s not even his career-best. 

It would rank as his fifth-best.

The Rockets are the team that’s best equipped to sustain an injury like this. It’s why they signed Capela in the summer.

To be able to execute their strategy of dominating on the glass, either with or without Adams in the lineup. 

Although there is a clear drop off from Adams to Capela. 

It helps that the All-Star break is coming up, as it gives Adams an additional week to rest, without missing any of the Rockets’ games.

Houston has 12 games until the All-Star break.

All told, Adams has missed nine games this season, and the Rockets have posted a 5-4 record in his absence.

Kevin Durant believes the NBA’s 65-game mandate won’t last long. Or much longer.

(Hopefully he’s right).

The rule was implemented to prevent players from load managing their way to accolades and honors.

(See Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James, of late).

The downside is that players with legitimate injuries are also withheld from the same milestones, which was an unintended consequence. 

Durant, himself, fell victim to the rule last season.

Possibly. 

26.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 52.7 percent from the field, 43 percent from three, 83.9 percent from the foul line, 59.8 percent effective shooting, and 64.2 percent true shooting.

This season, Nikola Jokic could be deprived of an MVP award, due to the same mandate.

Alperen Sengun, a Jokic look-a-like by the masses, could also be affected by the rule, potentially.

Depending on how much time he misses with his latest injury and more importantly, whether he’s able to remain healthy upon returning.

Sengun has played in 28 of Houston’s 32 games thus far.

He’ll need to play in 37 more of Houston’s 50 remaining games.

10 of those games are back-to-back games.

Will the Rockets choose to rest him in those games? It wouldn’t be a bad idea, if it’ll allow him to get fully healthy for what’s expected to be a deep postseason run.

Especially since this will be his third time having to miss time this season.

And especially if you consider the Rockets’ success without him this season, as they are 3-1 when he sits (which is a small sample size, I know).

All told, Houston has 50 games remaining over the next 98 days.

That doesn’t leave a ton of wiggle room if he’s going to miss back-to-backs (which isn’t a guarantee, to be fair).

Sengun was viewed as a potential All-NBA selection, and based on his play, that shouldn’t be much of a question.

Especially at the center position (and especially if factoring in team success).

It remains to be seen how long he’ll be out of commission with his latest ankle injury, but it’s a positive that he’s considered day-to-day.

And we shouldn’t expect the Rockets to rush him back after any injury.

But any additional injuries (or extended absences) could put him at risk of missing the league’s mandate.

On Monday night, Houston Rockets center Steven Adams sprained his right ankle shortly before halftime. initially Adams went to the locker room, but it was later ruled that he would not return for the rest of the game. So far for the season, Adams is averaging 6 points and 8 rebounds, according to ESPN.com.

Even though the injury is not expected to be long-term, any minor absence for Adams might give veteran Clint Capela, who is currently on the bench, additional playing time. Capela has averaged 5.0 points (50.0% FG) and 7.5 rebounds in 15.5 minutes, while Sengun has missed the last two games with his calf strain.

Adams did not take part in the team’s practice exercises, despite some progress being observed on Tuesday. Head coach Ime Udoka stated that although an official injury report won’t be released until Wednesday night, he now believes Adams is “questionable” to play against the Nets (10–20).

The injury comes at an unfortunate time, as Alperen Sengun is also currently nursing an injury and missed the last two games and remains questionable for the game versus the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. Additonally according to NBA.com injury report, Clint Capela is also questionable with an illness, meaning Houston may need to go small without a true center, although they could always start veteran Jeff Green.

As of Thursday, the Rockets (20-10) are at the top of the Western Conference rankings (4th place) behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets, and have won three straight games.You can tune into the game live via NBA League Pass as an out-of-state fan, and regionally on Space City Home Network (SCHN) with a tipoff time of 5:00 p.m. Central on New Year’s Day. As always be sure to check back here for pre- and postgame coverage.

The Houston Rockets made a number of large acquisitions during the previous summer. What one individual considers a spectacular acquisition may not be the same for another. Regardless of the individual or the criterion, Kevin Durant is an unquestionable splash move. He is regarded as one of the all-time great players in the game.

Additionally, after the departure of Dillon Brooks, who had emerged as the team’s leader and was traded to the Phoenix Suns in the Durant trade, Houston acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who was sought after by numerous teams, as he was a top-tier defender and had developed into a top-tier outside shooter during the previous season, making 41.1 percent of his three-point shots at a respectable volume (five attempts). Finney-Smith signed a four-year contract worth $52.7 million with the Rockets, providing them another 3-and-D-fit switchable wing defender.

However, after signing, Dorian then underwent ankle surgery and has not yet suited up for the Rockets this season, which is about a fourth of the way through. Finney-Smith’s absence has been amplified as forward Tari Eason is also out of commission with an oblique injury. Houston is erring on the side of caution, however, as Finney-Smith played through injury extensively in past years, which likely is extending his healing process, which is why the Rockets aren’t rushing his return and are allowing him ample time to heal. 

After what has felt like radio silence, we heard from head Coach Ime Udoka, and it seems Finney-Smith may be getting close to making his Rockets debut.

“Dorian is improving,” Udoka said. “He’s starting to ramp it up a little bit. He’ll get some live work in. Obviously, how he reacts to that determines when he gets back. It will be a little bit still. I think we’re anticipating more around January hopefully, but he’s getting into the phase of playing a little bit more now.”

This is great news for Rocket’s fans, as many have been awaiting Finney-Smith’s debut,

Houston has a short break before hosting the Clippers at Toyota Center Thursday night at 7:00. As always, you can find game coverage on Space City Home Network or NBA League Pass, and can find pre- and post-game coverage here at the Dreamshake.