Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (groin) won't return to the court until after the All-Star break. Including Monday's game, Vanvleet has missed four straight games due to a lingering groin issue. At this point, the Rockets are going to play it safe and shut down Vanvleet so he can get some rest. In the meantime, Amen Thompson should continue to start while Vanvleet is out. He's well worth a look as a streaming option while he's in the starting five. Also, Jalen Green figures to handle most of the ball-handling responsibilities which should boost his fantasy value.

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (leg) will not return to action for Monday's matchup with the New York Knicks. The Rockets initially had an eye toward Eason returning at some time last week, but they will continue to keep the second-year forward off the court for at least one more game. Houston has one more contest before the All-Star break against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, but fantasy managers should probably expect them to hold Eason out for that one at this point. With Cam Whitmore (ankle) also sidelined on Monday, look for Dillon Brooks to handle plenty of minutes. Brooks has been a top-150 option for most of the campaign, most recently averaging 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.4 three-pointers, and 0.9 steals through his prior 11 games, but he draws a tough assignment against a Knicks squad allowing the third-fewest average points (109.9) in the NBA during 2023-24.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (back) is questionable for Monday's game versus the Knicks. The 21-year-old is widely considered one of the best big men in the National Basketball Association. He missed his first game of the year on Saturday against the Hawks because of low back pain, allowing Jeff Green to enter the starting lineup. Green played well, amassing 19 points, six boards, and a block in 31 minutes of work, so he's definitely worth streaming if Sengun misses another game.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (back) will miss Saturday's game in Atlanta. The 21-year-old is burdened by a back issue, and he played just 21 minutes in Friday's three-point loss to the Toronto Raptors. Unfortunately, he struggled on the scoring end in that one, ending the night with just seven points. It will be Sengun's first absence of the 2023-24 campaign, and he'll now join Fred VanVleet (thigh) on the shelf. With the Rockets down, arguably their two top offensive options, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson should see more scoring chances. But it could open the door for Jeff Green and Cam Whitmore to earn a spot in fantasy lineups.

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (leg) remains out for Friday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. There was hope that Eason could return from his lengthy absence at some point this week after recently returning to basketball activities, but he's still not ready to go and will aim to return on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks in the final outing of Houston's four-game road trip. First-round rookie Cam Whitmore has been the direct fantasy beneficiary of Eason's absence, providing instant offense from the Rockets bench with averages of 13.5 points, 4.1 boards, and 2.0 triples on 40.4% shooting from three-point land in just 19.4 minutes covering his last 22 games. Whitmore's not helping much in fantasy outside of those categories, but he remains a deep-league streamer for points and treys against a Raptors squad that's struggled to defend opposing swingmen this year.