As their Western Conference play-in tournament odds continue to fade, the Rockets (23-29) may have finally found something of a silver lining. After a miserable, winless four-game road trip, Monday marks a return to Houston, where they are 18-9 this season. That’s a stunning discrepancy relative to their woeful 5-20 road record.
And after weeks of being short-handed due to widespread rotation injuries, the Rockets will face an opponent that isn’t close to full strength, either. As of Monday, the New York Knicks (33-20) are without Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson.
On the other side, the Rockets could have more help on the way, since star center Alperen Sengun, who missed Saturday’s loss to Atlanta with lower back pain, was upgraded to questionable.
Unfortunately, Tari Eason, Fred VanVleet and Cam Whitmore remain sidelined. Houston is 11-19 without Eason and 0-5 in games without VanVleet during the 2023-24 NBA season.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Monday, Feb. 12
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (23-29)
- Guard: Amen Thompson
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
New York Knicks (33-20)
- Guard: Jalen Brunson
- Guard: Donte DiVincenzo
- Forward: Josh Hart
- Forward: Taj Gibson
- Center: Isaiah Hartenstein
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game, with the exceptions of Sengun and Hartenstein (questionable) in place of Jeff Green and Precious Achiuwa, respectively.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Steven Adams (right knee PCL surgery), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management), Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain) and Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain) as out.
Alperen Sengun (lower back pain) is questionable.
New York’s report lists Julius Randle (dislocated right shoulder), OG Anunoby (right elbow surgery) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle surgery) as out for Monday night. Isaiah Hartenstein (sore left Achilles) is questionable, while Jericho Sims (illness) is probable.
Feb. 12 uniform choices
- Rockets: Red Icon Edition
- Knicks: Blue Icon Edition
