With the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season only a few days away, the Houston Rockets (2-1) wrap up their preseason schedule with Friday’s visit to Indiana (2-1). Prized rookie prospect Jabari Smith Jr. remains out with a left ankle sprain, but he has resumed basketball activities and appears on course to return to the starting lineup in time for the team’s regular-season opener on Oct. 19 in Atlanta.
Among those playing, perhaps the biggest storyline is the ongoing integration process of second-year center Alperen Sengun with Houston’s starters. The 20-year-old Turkish big man flourished in his preseason debut but struggled in Monday’s loss at Miami, with a lower usage rate alongside starters like Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. relative to when Sengun was the hub of bench units last season.
Friday’s exhibition versus Myles Turner and the Pacers offers Sengun and the Rockets one last opportunity to build positive momentum before the games become much more meaningful next week.
Rockets at Pacers broadcast information
- Date: Friday, Oct. 14
- Time: 6:00 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: none
- Radio: KBME 790 AM, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: Rockets.com, Rockets mobile app
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (2-1, preseason)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: KJ Martin
- Forward: Tari Eason
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Indiana Pacers (2-1, preseason)
- Guard: Tyrese Haliburton
- Guard: Chris Duarte
- Forward: Buddy Hield
- Forward: Jalen Smith
- Center: Myles Turner
Both projected lineups are based on the latest game notes.
Injuries
- Rockets: Eric Gordon (missed past two games – rest); Daishen Nix (missed last game – lower back tightness); Jabari Smith Jr. (missed past two games – left ankle sprain); Jae’Sean Tate (left last game – right ankle soreness)
- Pacers: TBD
This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
