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Adams totaled two points (1-1 FG), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 14 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Adams returned to the court after undergoing ankle surgery in January, playing his usual role off the bench. Although his skill set doesn't really lend itself to viable fantasy value, Adams' importance to the Rockets cannot be overstated. He will presumably serve as the primary backup behind Alperen Sengun, typically logging minutes in the mid to high teens.
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Rockets' Jabari Smith: Serviceable effort in preseason win
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Smith totaled 12 points (4-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 22 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Smith filled his usual role, operating as a complementary piece on offense, while providing the team with a serviceable defensive presence. The return of Fred VanVleet should allow Smith to get a few more open looks, although not to the point where his overall fantasy appeal changes too much. At this point, he should be considered a viable top-100 target, perhaps slightly higher in two-center leagues.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Productive in return
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VanVleet finished with 17 points (5-12 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven assists, two rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas.
VanVleet made his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury more than 12 months ago. Despite the layoff, VanVleet looked good in his 24 minutes, providing the team with some much-needed guidance. Although there could be some limitations heading into the season proper, the fact that he played 24 minutes in what was basically a meaningless game bodes well for anyone willing to take a chance on him in drafts.
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Rockets' Jae'Sean Tate: Records DNP-CD
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Tate (coach's decision) did not play during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Tate, Marcus Smart and Clint Capela were all sidelined during Friday's preseason opener, but there were no injuries reported. Tate is still expected to make the Opening Night roster, but his role will be limited as a veteran presence on a contending team.
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Rockets' Clint Capela: Doesn't play Friday
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Capela (coach's decision) did not play during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Capela, Marcus Smart and Jae'Sean Tate didn't leave the bench during the preseason opener, but there were no injuries reported. Capela is slated to be the third-string center behind Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams this season.
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Rockets' Marcus Smart: Takes night off
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Smart (coach's decision) did not play during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Smart, Clint Capela and Jae'Sean Tate all took a seat for the preseason opener, but there were no reported injuries. Smart has played nearly 700 career regular-season games and spent multiple years in Boston under now-Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, so the veteran point guard likely doesn't need many preseason minutes to get acquainted with his new squad.
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Rockets' Bogdan Bogdanovic: Modest production in blowout
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Bogdanovic registered four points (1-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four assists and two steals in 16 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Bogdanovic made only 23 regular-season appearances last year and averaged fewer than 20 minutes per game for the first time in his career. The sharpshooter should have a reserve role in Houston's backcourt if he can stay healthy, but injuries have derailed the veteran's career in recent seasons.
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Rockets' Bruce Thornton: Makes most of limited minutes
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Thornton recorded 13 points (4-6 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two assists and one block in nine minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Despite playing single-digit minutes, the rookie was one of seven Rockets to score in double figures during their high-scoring preseason opener in China. Thornton will have to string together multiple performances like this if he's going to crack the Opening Night rotation, as he's currently behind Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic on the backcourt depth chart.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Sinks four triples in win
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Sheppard produced 16 points (6-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one steal in 19 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Sheppard has shown flashes of his upside during his first two years in Houston, but he hasn't been able to put everything together, and things aren't going to get easier in terms of playing time. Fred VanVleet is healthy after missing all of last season with an ACL tear. The Rockets also signed Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic this offseason, plus they drafted Bruce Thornton. Sheppard should still have a role, but it's unclear if it'll be enough minutes to be fantasy relevant.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Game-high 20 points off bench
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Eason posted 20 points (6-10 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Eason led all scorers with 20 points and finished one rebound shy of Alperen Sengun for the game high in boards. The 2022 No. 17 overall pick signed a five-year extension this offseason after averaging 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks in 23.6 minutes across 221 regular-season appearances. With Houston's frontcourt nearly identical to last season, Eason is expected to serve as the primary backup behind Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith in 2026-27.
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Rockets' Kevin Durant: Will sit out Sunday
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Durant will not play in Sunday's preseason rematch against Dallas, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports. The forward finished Friday's preseason contest with 15 points (7-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two assists and one block in 23 minutes.
According to coach Ime Udoka, Durant was initially scheduled to play only the first half Friday but requested additional minutes to build chemistry with Fred VanVleet and his other new teammates. The veteran forward's absence Sunday appears to be a planned precaution rather than an injury-related setback, and Houston should have additional minutes available for its other wings and forwards
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Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Posts triple-double in preseason win
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Sengun recorded 16 points (6-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and three blocks in 22 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas.
Sengun delivered an impressive all-around performance in limited action, securing a triple-double while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. The 24-year-old center demonstrated his ability to contribute across multiple categories, particularly as a facilitator and rim protector. Sengun should remain one of Houston's primary offensive contributors alongside Kevin Durant heading into the 2026-27 regular season.
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Rockets' Rafael Castro: Cut loose by Rockets
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The Rockets waived Castro on Thursday, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com.
The move vacates a two-way roster spot for Houston. The undrafted rookie now sets his sights toward finding other opportunities around the league this preseason.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Fully cleared for Houston
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Adams has been fully cleared after undergoing left ankle surgery in January, head coach Ime Udoka said Tuesday, according to Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle.
The veteran center had previously been limited prior to training camp, but Udoka expects him to play during Houston's preseason trip to Macao. Adams may still be limited during back-to-back sets early in the regular season as the Rockets manage his workload following the procedure.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Looking to improve shot ahead of 2026-27
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Thompson has been working on his free throws and jumper with shooting coach Chip Engelland this offseason, and head coach Ime Udoka said his growth will initially focus on increasing his efficiency from the midrange, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Thompson turned in a career year in 2025-26 before landing a five-year, $208 million extension earlier this month. The 23-year-old averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks across 37.4 minutes per game in 79 regular-season appearances last year. However, his three-point shot remained a weakness, as he knocked down just 21.6 percent of his limited attempts from downtown. The 2023 No. 4 overall pick did shoot a career-best 77.9 percent from the free-throw line last season, though there's still room for improvement. Even if Thompson never develops into an above-average shooter, he's a well-rounded player who has already made strides as a playmaker. While his playmaking skills may be less utilized now that Fred VanVleet is back in the mix, Thompson should continue to play a key role while working to expand his offensive game.
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Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Working on shot ahead of 2026-27 season
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Sengun has been working with shooting coach Chip Engelland on his free throws and three-point shot, and the big man wants to make corner threes a bigger part of his game, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Sengun is coming off another impressive year, averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.3 minutes per game across 72 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. However, the star center shot just 69.1 percent from the charity stripe and 30.5 percent from downtown. He's been focused on improving in those areas this offseason, and an uptick in efficiency would be a significant step toward becoming a more well-rounded player.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Could start season on minutes restriction
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Head coach Ime Udoka said Friday that VanVleet's minutes limit will be determined by how he progresses through training camp, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
VanVleet missed the 2025-26 campaign after tearing his ACL last September, though he's been cleared to practice in full and has been participating in five-on-five scrimmages. The veteran point guard may begin the season on a minutes limit, which would leave additional playing time available for the likes of Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart. Additionally, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rockets limit VanVleet in back-to-back sets, especially early in the season as he works his way back up to speed.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Expected to be limited in back-to-backs
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Head coach Ime Udoka said Friday that he does not see Adams (ankle) playing in both halves of back-to-back sets to start the 2026-27 season, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
The veteran center underwent left ankle surgery in late January and is currently without a clear timetable for a return to the court. Udoka also noted that Adams' minutes limit will be determined by how he progresses in training camp. If the 33-year-old begins the season on the inactive list, Clint Capela would likely see a bump in minutes.
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Rockets' Steven Adams: Uncertain return timeline
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Adams (ankle) didn't offer a return timetable Monday at media day, per Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle.
Adams referred to the ankle surgery he underwent in January as "complicated." The veteran center's status will remain worth monitoring throughout training camp and the preseason. Clint Capela should take on the leftover reps as the No. 2 center until Adams is cleared for action.
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Rockets' Clint Capela: Trims down this offseason
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Capela is feeling healthy after trimming down his weight this offseason, per Ben DuBose of USA Today.
Capela could occupy the backup center role to open the season due to the uncertainty surrounding the status of Steven Adams, who's coming off ankle surgery. Alperen Sengun will handle the lion's share of the minutes at center, likely leaving Capela to fight for scraps off the bench in any event.
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