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Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings game preview

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings looks to drive to the basket on Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on January 11, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tonight’s game is sort of a triage game for the Houston Rockets. In addition to their usual out-for-the-season guys, they will be without Jae’Sean Tate once again as he misses the next four to six weeks, as well as Amen Thompson, who has quadriceps tendonitis. It’s going to either force Ime Udoka to expand his rotation (lol) or give even more minutes to Kevin Durant.

The Sacramento Kings have been a thorn in Houston’s side for the past two seasons. The Rockets have lost their last four games in California’s capital and last season were swept by the Beam Team. The Kings just snapped a 16-game losing streak by knocking off the also-tanking Memphis Grizzlies. Houston wants to win this game and Sacramento doesn’t. But the players don’t always follow the script.

Houston has to fly out right after this game to Orlando for the second night of a back-to-back against a Magic squad that has tonight off. It would behoove Houston to wrap this game up by the third quarter to allow the starters to rest a bit in anticipation of the challenge that Orlando presents. However, we all know how it goes with this team in the fourth quarter.

Tip-off

7pm CT

How To Watch

Space City Home Network

Injury Report

Rockets

Steven Adams: OUT

Fred VanVleet: OUT

Amen Thompson: OUT

Jae’Sean Tate: OUT

Kings

Domantas Sabonis: OUT

De’Andre Hunter: OUT

Zach LaVine: OUT

Dylan Cardwell: OUT

Devin Carter: GTD

The Line (as of this post)

HOU -15.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can

Tomorrow (Thursday) night on the road against the Orlando Magic

Read full story at Yahoo Sport →