HOUSTON — Including their absences for Saturday’s home matchup versus Milwaukee, Rockets forwards Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) have now been sidelined for six and three consecutive games, respectively.
It’s a tough situation for head coach Ime Udoka, whose Rockets (17-16) remain without arguably their two best defenders.
Eason has struggled with occasional leg soreness since suffering a stress reaction during the preseason. He’s frequently been listed as questionable to play, with Houston deciding after each shootaround or pregame workout whether that game is doable for him to play.
The current three-game absence, however, is the longest he’s been consistently out since suffering the initial injury.
On Monday, Udoka said Eason was limited to about 25-to-27 minutes per game, in what can effectively be described as a load management plan. But since then, he hasn’t been able to play at all.
As for Brooks, here’s what Udoka said Friday:
He’s getting shots up, and he’s finally starting to move a little bit more. That’s the next step. Some of that movement can strain the oblique, a little bit.
The catch-and-shoot is fine. It’s what he does defensively, and shooting on the move, that’s the next progression.
#Rockets vs Timberwolves tonight on SCHN
Ime Udoka has updates on Dillon Brooks & Tari Eason who are both out tonight … as well as Alperen Sengun's matchup with Rudy Gobert
Our @HoustonRockets game coverage begins at 6:30PM on the Pregame Show with Kevin & Calvin pic.twitter.com/FeDT69YKgr
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 5, 2024
After Saturday’s game, Houston heads out for a six-game Eastern Conference road trip starting Monday night in Miami.
For that game and beyond, the precise timetable for Brooks and Eason returning to the lineup remains unclear. But with both players being evaluated on a daily basis, they’re expected to travel with the team — with the hope of being available at some point on the trip.
Ime Udoka says Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason will both be with the #Rockets on the upcoming road trip (six games, starting Monday in Miami).
Tari is day-to-day, mostly an issue of “pain tolerance,” per Udoka. Dillon is “week-to-week” based on how difficult oblique injuries are
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 6, 2024
Ime Udoka on what the #Rockets are missing without Dillon Brooks:
“A true lockdown, one of the best wing defenders in the league.”
Ime says it also affects other players, who are given defensive assignments in Dillon’s absence that they wouldn’t have normally
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 6, 2024
