The Houston Rockets visit the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Spectrum Center with both teams missing players.
Houston will remain without veteran guard Fred VanVleet, who is recovering from right knee ACL repair. Center Steven Adams is also out following left ankle surgery. Adams averaged 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes before the procedure, including 4.5 offensive boards per game. Two-way player Tristen Newton is also out.
The Rockets enter at 33-20, fourth in the Western Conference. They split a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Clippers, losing 105-102 on February 11 after a 102-95 win on February 10.
Houston’s offense is anchored by Kevin Durant, who is averaging 25.8 points on 50.6% shooting and 40.3% from three. Alperen Sengun adds 20.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Amen Thompson is posting 17.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists while logging 37.3 minutes per game.
Charlotte will be without forward Miles Bridges due to league suspension. Bridges averages 18.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in 53 starts.
Center Moussa Diabaté is also suspended, removing a frontcourt presence who contributes 8.6 rebounds and shoots 63.2% from the field.
Coby White is sidelined with a left calf strain, and rookie Liam McNeeley is out with a left ankle sprain.
The Hornets sit ninth in the Eastern Conference at 26-29 and have won three straight games. They defeated the Atlanta Hawks 110-107 on February 11 and 126-119 on February 7.
Charlotte’s scoring load shifts to Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Miller averages 20.6 points and shoots 36.6% from three, while Ball contributes 19.3 points and 7.4 assists.
Kon Knueppel is adding 18.9 points on 48.4% shooting and 43.1% from deep, giving the home side perimeter spacing.
The Hornets won the first meeting this season 109-99 on February 5 in Houston.
