The Houston Rockets visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, March 29, with both teams managing several injuries ahead of their matchup at the Smoothie King Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET as Houston attempts to strengthen its Western Conference playoff position.
Houston enters the contest with a 44-29 record, placing sixth in the Western Conference standings. New Orleans sits 12th at 25-50 and has lost four consecutive games.
The Rockets have three players listed on the injury report. Veteran center Steven Adams remains out following left ankle surgery, while guard Fred VanVleet is unavailable after undergoing ACL repair on his right knee.
Houston will also be without Tristen Newton, who is assigned to the G League on a two-way contract. Despite those absences, the Rockets still feature multiple high-level offensive options in their rotation.
Kevin Durant leads Houston with 26.0 points per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three-point range. The veteran forward also averages 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 36.5 minutes per game.
Alperen Sengun provides interior scoring and playmaking, averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. His ability to facilitate offense from the post has been a central element of Houston’s half-court system.
Amen Thompson has taken on a major role as well, posting 17.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game across 71 starts. Houston’s perimeter depth also includes Reed Sheppard, who averages 13.5 points and shoots 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.
New Orleans faces a longer injury report entering Sunday’s matchup. Bryce McGowens is out with a fractured right small toe, while Trey Alexander, Hunter Dickinson and Josh Oduro remain in the G League on two-way assignments.
Two key Pelicans players are listed as questionable. Trey Murphy III is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and Dejounte Murray is managing a left hand contusion.
Murphy has been New Orleans’ most productive scorer this season, averaging 21.7 points while hitting 38.3 percent of his three-point attempts. Murray has appeared in only 12 games but contributes 17.2 points and 6.5 assists per game when available.
Zion Williamson remains a focal point in the Pelicans’ offense. He averages 21.4 points on 60.3 percent shooting while adding 5.8 rebounds per game.
Houston enters the game with momentum after a 119-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on March 27. Prior to that win, the Rockets lost a 110-108 overtime game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
New Orleans has struggled defensively during its recent skid. The Pelicans allowed 129 points to the Detroit Pistons and 119 to the Toronto Raptors in their last two games.
The teams have met once this season. New Orleans defeated Houston 133-128 in overtime on December 18 at the Smoothie King Center.
