Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (leg) is listed as out for Friday's game versus the Charlotte Hornets. Head coach Ime Udoka said on Wednesday that Eason will begin contact drills next week, so his absence on Friday isn't surprising, as the Rockets continue to manage the 2022 first-rounder's left lower leg. With that said, don't expect Eason back in Houston's lineup on Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets. Cam Whitmore has averaged 11.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 triples, and 0.9 steals through his past dozen games.

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) is not spotted on the team's injury report ahead of Friday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Out for back-to-back games due to a sprained left ankle, Smith is cleared to return against the Hornets on Friday. The 2022 first-rounder is bringing in top-100 fantasy numbers in his second season with the Rockets, tallying 13.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 treys, and 0.8 blocks per game. Jeff Green will slide back to Houston's second unit to free up Smith's starting spot.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka says guard Jalen Green (illness) is available to play on Wednesday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. There was optimism Green would be able to suit up after participating in Wednesday morning's shootaround despite dealing with a non-COVID illness, and he is ready to roll for game action. The 2021 No. 2 overall pick ranks outside the top 200 in category leagues but is at least supplying value around the top 100 in points formats on averages of 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 treys over 42 games in his third season for the Rockets. Green hopes this plum matchup against a 12-31 Blazers squad can spark a hot streak, but a 219.5-point implied total is the eight-game slate's second-lowest figure.

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (illness), who is currently listed as questionable for Wednesday's tilt versus the Portland Trail Blazers, was at the morning shootaround ahead of play. It bodes well for Green's ability to suit up on Wednesday, as he is dealing with an illness. The 23-year-old offensive-minded guard just hasn't been able to make the jump in other areas of his arsenal in Year 3, making him a points-league-specific fantasy asset with averages of 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 triples over 42 games. Green's status could come down to a game-time decision based on pregame warmups closer to Wednesday's tip-off.

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (illness) is listed as questionable for the team's game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The former second-overall pick missed Tuesday's practice, and his game status remains uncertain. Green, who has not missed a game all season, might be replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Amen Thompson, who started the last game when Fred VanVleet was absent. The 21-year-old is averaging 17 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes of play per game.