The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors enter their meeting with contrasting injury situations but similar stakes, as both teams try to lock in momentum in the final stretch of the regular season.
Houston will be without Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet. Adams is out after left ankle surgery, while VanVleet remains sidelined following right knee ACL repair.
That leaves the Rockets leaning heavily on Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. Thompson has averaged 17.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, while Durant is still carrying the scoring load at 25.8 points per game. Sengun has been the hub of the offense all season, posting 20.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.
Golden State’s report is more complicated. Jimmy Butler is out with a right ACL surgery recovery, while Al Horford, Moses Moody, and Quinten Post are also sidelined.
Stephen Curry is questionable with right patellofemoral pain syndrome, and Seth Curry is questionable with left adductor injury management. That makes the Warriors’ backcourt situation uncertain at the exact moment they need perimeter creation most.
When Stephen Curry has played, he has remained elite, averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 39.1 percent from three. The Warriors have also relied on Brandin Podziemski’s all-around play, with the guard putting up 13.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
Golden State does have one possible boost in Gui Santos, who is probable despite a right pelvic contusion. Santos has given the Warriors 9.2 points per game while helping with energy and secondary scoring.
The matchup also carries recent history. Houston won the first meeting 104-100 on November 26, while Golden State answered with a 115-113 overtime win on March 5.
Form entering the game tilts toward Houston, which has won two straight by beating Milwaukee 119-113 and Utah 140-106. Golden State, meanwhile, has dropped two straight, falling to Cleveland and San Antonio at home.
