The Houston Rockets visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, January 7, with tipoff at 10:00 p.m. ET at Moda Center. Houston holds a 22-11 record, while Portland stands at 17-20.
Houston faces key absences, including Fred VanVleet out for right knee ACL recovery and Alperen Sengun sidelined with a right ankle sprain. Isaiah Crawford is out with an illness, and Tristen Newton remains on a G League two-way assignment.
Kevin Durant leads Houston with 25.7 points and 4.6 assists per game, while Amen Thompson adds 18.0 points and 7.4 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. contributes 15.5 points and nearly seven rebounds, and Reed Sheppard provides perimeter shooting with 13.2 points per contest.
Portland will be without Damian Lillard managing a left Achilles injury, Jerami Grant with left Achilles tendonitis, and Scoot Henderson after a left hamstring tear. Jrue Holiday (right calf) and Matisse Thybulle (right knee) are also sidelined, while Kris Murray is doubtful with low back soreness, and Blake Wesley remains out with a right foot fracture.
Deni Avdija carries the scoring load for Portland with 25.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. Shaedon Sharpe adds 21.6 points, and Donovan Clingan provides inside presence with 11.2 points and 10.8 rebounds. Toumani Camara contributes 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds as a versatile forward.
Houston enters the game on a one-game winning streak after a 100-97 victory over Phoenix, while Portland has won three straight, including a 137-117 win against Utah. The Rockets won the only season matchup 140-116 on November 14, 2025.
