Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (illness) is in danger of missing his first game of the season after the team added him to the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's matchup against Phoenix. Green has gone through a few really rough weeks, and it would be another blow for him if he's sidelined on Thursday. Veteran Aaron Holiday is in line to benefit from Green's absence, while youngsters Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore could also get more opportunities to impress. The latter two are definitely the better fantasy options for Thursday's slate.

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (leg) is working with the team to get multiple other medical opinions on his leg injury according to head coach Ime Udoka. The 22-year-old hasn't played since January 1 and he's been continually listed on the injury report with "left lower leg injury management." At this point, it seems like the team's doctors aren't exactly sure what's going on with Eason's leg, and it still doesn't feel good enough to practice or take the floor in a game. Now that the season is already creeping into March, further medical opinions may extend Eason's absence into April or maybe even the rest of the season. That official word will come after the doctor visits, so fantasy managers will want to stay tuned. In the meantime, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore will likely keep receiving additional minutes.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said Wednesday that forward Tari Eason (leg) is slated to be re-evaluated, but the second-year forward won't play on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Eason hasn't played since New Year's Day, but expect another update on his status ahead of Friday's meeting with the Phoenix Suns. Cam Whitmore (ankle) is available to play the sixth-man role for the Rockets in the meantime and sports some deep-league fantasy appeal.

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (groin) says he will play on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. VanVleet has overcome a strained left groin following a five-game absence prior to the All-Star break. It's unclear if FVV will carry a minutes restriction on Thursday, but he'll be a shaky DFS play against a Pelicans squad that sits sixth in the league in opponent field-goal percentage (46.5%). VanVleet still belongs in all season-long lineups, while Amen Thompson figures to revert to Houston's bench and lose fantasy appeal.

Houston Rockets forwards Tari Eason (leg) and Cam Whitmore (ankle) remain sidelined for Wednesday's tilt against the Memphis Grizzlies. No surprise here on Eason's front, as head coach Ime Udoka revealed before Monday's win over the New York Knicks that the 2022 first-rounder is still experiencing "lingering pain" in his left lower leg stemming from a stress reaction in the preseason. Whitmore will miss a third straight game due to a sprained right ankle, and Feb. 22's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans will be both players' next chance to return. With Fred VanVleet (adductor) also out, Aaron Holiday is averaging 14.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.3 treys on 42.9% shooting from beyond the arc in 24.9 minutes over his past four games as Houston's sixth man and is a short-term fantasy solution for points, threes, and dimes until the team gets healthier.