The Houston Rockets face the New York Knicks on Saturday, February 21, at Madison Square Garden in a matchup between two top-four teams in their respective conferences.
Houston enters at 34-21, fourth in the Western Conference, while New York sits 36-21, third in the East and 22-7 at home.
The Rockets will be without veteran guard Fred VanVleet, who remains out following right knee ACL repair. Houston is also without Steven Adams after left ankle surgery. Two-way player Tristen Newton is also out.
Alperen Sengun has been a focal point of the offense, posting 20.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Kevin Durant leads the Rockets in scoring at 26.0 points per game while shooting 51.0% from the field and 40.4% from three.
Jabari Smith Jr. adds 15.2 points and 7.1 rebounds, giving Houston spacing at the power forward position.
New York’s most significant injury is Miles McBride, who is out following core muscle surgery. McBride averaged 12.9 points and shot 42.0% from beyond the arc.
Several Knicks players are listed as questionable due to G League assignments or two-way status, including Pacome Dadiet, Trey Jemison III, Dillon Jones, Tyler Kolek and Kevin McCullar Jr.
The core rotation remains intact for New York.
Jalen Brunson is averaging 27.1 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 37.5% from three. Karl-Anthny Towns is producing 19.8 points and 11.9 rebounds, giving the Knicks a consistent interior presence. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby combine for 32.2 points per game.
Houston won its last game 105-101 on the road against Charlotte, while New York is coming off a 126-111 home loss to Detroit.
