Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (oblique) has been ruled out on Friday and will miss his fifth game in a row while dealing with a right oblique strain. The defensive specialist has been one of those players whose impact is felt beyond the box score this season. His scoring output and assist numbers may have both decreased, but his efficiency has gotten better and he's helped the Rockets get to a 17-15 record while he takes on the hardest defensive assignment on the other team. While he remains on the sidelines, Jae'Sean Tate should stay in the starting lineup while he receives around 30 minutes a night. Jeff Green and Cam Whitmore have seen some extra minutes as well, but Tate would be the most consistent streaming option to choose.

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (leg) has been downgraded from questionable to out on Wednesday versus the Brooklyn Nets due to left lower leg soreness. The Rockets have been fairly selective with Eason's off days following his preseason stress reaction, considering Wednesday is neither the first nor second night of a back-to-back. Eason should be back in the lineup on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he might not be available when Houston concludes a seven-game homestand on Saturday. Though Eason remains relatively raw offensively, fantasy managers in nine-category leagues should put up with his routine maintenance. In just 21.8 minutes per night, the 22-year-old disruptive defender is manufacturing 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.3 combined steals and blocks per game. More minutes will be available for Jae'Sean Tate and Amen Thompson against the Nets.

Houston Rockets guard/forward Dillon Brooks (oblique) will sit out a fourth consecutive game on Wednesday versus Brooklyn. Brooks doesn't have a clear timetable for his return, but Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has said that the defensive pest isn't dealing with a long-term issue. Jae'Sean Tate has joined the starters in Brooks' absence. Following a couple of below-par performances, Tate hit his stride with a 16-point effort across 26 minutes last time out against Detroit, and a meeting with another defensively-challenged team appears to be a solid spot for him to turn in a good performance.

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (leg) remains on the injury report as questionable ahead of Wednesday's home game against the Nets. He's carried the tag around with him for a few games now, but Eason has featured in five straight contests. The 22-year-old is dealing with soreness in his left lower leg. Jae'Sean Tate and Jeff Green are the primary options to cover Eason's minutes if he doesn't suit up on Wednesday. Tate is the better fantasy option of the two, and he's already gained a bit of momentum by replacing Dillon Brooks (oblique) in the starting unit.

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (oblique) remains out on Monday against the visiting Detroit Pistons. The 27-year-old is battling an oblique strain, so he'll now miss his third consecutive contest. He'll likely miss more time moving ahead, although head coach Ime Udoka couldn't say how long he'd stay on the shelf. Brooks has averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in his first season in Houston. However, he's shooting a career-high 40.8% from behind the arc. But until Brooks is healthy, Jae'Sean Tate could remain in the lineup. Unfortunately, Tate has averaged just 5.5 points in two starts this year, which won't do anything to benefit fantasy managers.