The Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns meet Tuesday night at Footprint Center with both teams carrying important context into the game. Houston is dealing with two confirmed absences, while Phoenix has just one player listed on its injury report.
The Rockets will be without Steven Adams, who remains out with a left ankle issue after surgery, and Fred VanVleet, who is sidelined because of right knee ACL repair. That puts more creation pressure on Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard against a Suns team that has already seen how Houston can control the matchup.
Phoenix lists Haywood Highsmith as out because of right knee injury management. The Suns should still have their main scoring core available, led by Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen and Collin Gillespie.
Houston enters the game at 49-29 and has won nine of its last ten, including back-to-back victories over Utah and Golden State. The Rockets have also beaten Phoenix in all three meetings this season, winning 114-92 on Nov. 24, 117-98 on Dec. 5 and 100-97 on Jan. 5.
The Suns come in at 43-35 after a win over Chicago and a loss at Charlotte. Booker remains the focal point, averaging 25.8 points and 6.0 assists, while Mark Williams gives Phoenix a strong interior presence with 11.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Houston’s balance has been a major strength all season. Sengun is averaging 20.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists, Durant is posting 25.9 points on 41.0 percent 3-point shooting, and Thompson has emerged as a versatile two-way force with 17.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
Tipoff is scheduled for 11:00 PM ET.
