Watch: Rockets Celebrate Jalen Green's 22nd Birthday

FEB 5 VANVLEET OUT VS. PACERS The Rockets will be without their starting point guard Fred VanVleet during their interconference match against the Indiana Pacers Tuesday night. According to the injury report, VanVleet is out due to a left adductor strain. His return to the lineup is unknown. 

VanVleet has appeared in 47 games, averaging 16.5 points on 40.9 percent shooting from the field and 8.2 assists. Rookie Amen Thompson will likely start in his absence.

FEB 2 IS TATE TRADE FROM ROCKETS INEVITABLE? The NBA Trade Deadline is four days away, and the Rockets could deal their longest tenure player. According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns have expressed trade interest in Rockets' forward Jae'Sean Tate. 

Tate signed with the Rockets as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NBA Draft. He has since appeared in 224 games, averaging 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds.

"Udoka’s preference is not only to find another big man who can step in when Şengün is on the bench, but one who could potentially play alongside him in certain lineups, akin to Williams and Al Horford during Udoka’s lone season in Boston. 

"Houston can offer expiring contracts in Boban Marjanović — or even longer-term salary like center Landale — in addition to draft capital, such as second-round picks, to facilitate a deal. Alternatively, Jae’Sean Tate, who league sources said is attracting interest from the likes of Boston and Phoenix, is movable. — Iko

FEB 1 TARI EASON CLOSE TO RETURNING? Second-year forward Tari Eason could make his return to the Rockets lineup soon. Coach Ime Udoka announced Thursday afternoon that Eason has begun participating in 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 workouts and could return to play next week.

Eason will miss his 17th consecutive game Friday night due to an ongoing leg injury sustained during the Rockets' pre-season opener on Oct. 10. When healthy, Eason has averaged 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 21.8 minutes per game this season. 

JAN 29 JABARI SMITH TO RETURN: Second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. will return to the lineup Monday night when the Rockets face off against the Los Angeles Lakers. Smith missed Houston's previous four games due to a left ankle sprain. Smith is averaging 13.7 points on 47.6 percent shooting and 8.7 rebounds across 40 games.

JAN 23 FORMER ROCKETS GUARD REACHES PLEA DEAL: According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, former Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. has reached a plea agreement for reckless assault in the third-degree and harassment case involving former girlfriend and WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. On the morning of Sept. 11, Porter was arrested on allegedly assaulting Gondrezick in a New York hotel.

Porter's attorneys in a statement per ESPN, "The resolution will allow Mr. Porter to put this incident, which involved false felony allegations and false facts, behind him with no criminal record and move forward."

JAN 20 ROCKETS TO TRADE FOR GAFFORD? With the NBA trade deadline less than a month away, the Rockets are one of several teams looking to be buyers in hopes of improving their team.

According to Matt Moore of Action Network, the Rockets are one of three teams interested in trading for Washington Wizards' Daniel Gafford. Gafford is a 6-foot-10 big man averaging 10.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 36 games played. 

The potential acquisition of Gafford would give the Rockets a reliable big man to back up Alperen Şengün. 

JAN 17 ROCKETS TO TRADE FOR BARNES? The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, and the Houston Rockets will be buyers before Feb. 8. According to Marc Stein, the Rockets have an interest in landing Sacramento Kings' forward Harrison Barnes to help with their subpar shooting.

Barnes has appeared in 40 games this season, averaging 10.8 points on 39.7 percent shooting from behind the arc. Houston is ranked in the bottom half of 3-point shooting after they shot 35.8 percent through 39 games. 

"The Rockets are known to be in the market for additional size in support of rising star Alperen Şengün and possess two trade-friendly contracts: Victor Oladipo’s expiring $9.5 million deal and Jock Landale’s four-year, $32 million deal that is only guaranteed this season.

"League sources say the Rockets also have a level of interest in Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes in their quest to add shooting." — per Marc Stein.

JAN 14 IME RETURNS TO BOSTON Amid the Houston Rockets blowout loss to the Celtics Saturday night, coach Ime Udoka returned to Boston following his jettison last season. During pre-game introductions, Udoka received a mixture of cheers and boos from fans inside TD Garden.

“We had a good year, not a great year. Didn’t get it done. But yeah I would say just seeing some people I haven’t seen in a while, I obviously talked to,” Udoka said. “Then once it’s done it’s done. A first time for everything. We’ve been through it and are ready to move on.”

JAN 8 JABARI SUPPORTS TEXANS Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., a Georgia native, is usually an Atlanta Falcons fan. However, for the playoffs, Smith Jr. tweeted his support for his new adopted hometown team, the Houston Texans.

Back in October, Smith's Falcons beat the Texans and the young forward celebrated on social media, much to the dismay of Houston fans. However, with the Falcons eliminated and the Texans in the playoffs, Smith is riding the wave.

The Texans play on Saturday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns.

JAN 7 BOBAN, HOLIDAY CONTRACTS GUARANTEED The Houston Rockets are keeping two of their veterans for the rest of the season.

According to The Athletic's Kelly Iko, the Rockets are guaranteeing the contracts for Aaron Holiday and Boban Marjanovic for the remainder of the season.

The two had partially guaranteed contracts, but because they will remain on the roster beyond today, their deals are guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

JAN 6 EASON OUT AGAIN Despite coach Ime Udoka saying there was a "chance" for Tari Eason to return to the lineup, the second-year forward will miss his second consecutive game Saturday against the Bucks.

He is currently averaging 9.8 points and 7.0 rebounds across 22 games. Eason sustained the leg injury during the Rockets' preseason opener against the Indiana Pacers. 

JAN 5 EASON OUT AGAIN, BUT RETURN REVEALED Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason is still nursing a leg injury, and it will hold him out tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, coach Ime Udoka revealed that the second-year pro will return to action against the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow at Toyota Center.

JAN 3 EASON OUT VS. NETS While taking on the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night, the Rockets will be without Tari Eason. The second-year forward has been ruled out due to an ongoing leg injury.

The injury has forced Eason to miss nine games so far this season. He is currently averaging 9.8 points and 7.0 rebounds across 22 games. Eason sustained the leg injury during the Rockets' preseason opener against the Indiana Pacers. 

DEC 31 PISTONS END LOSING STREAK Two days before facing the Rockets, the Detroit Pistons ended their historic losing streak of 28 games. The streak came to an end following the Pistons' 129-127 victory over the Toronto Raptors Saturday night.

The Rockets and Pistons will face each other for the first time this season, on Monday night, inside the Toyota Center. The Rockets are hoping they could end their respective losing streak of three games.

DEC 28 BROOKS AND SMITH OUT VS. 76ERS The Rockets will be short-handed against the Philadelphia 76ers. They announced via the league's injury report that Dillon Brooks (abdominal oblique strain) and Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) have been ruled as out for Friday's contest.

The 76ers also announced that reigning league MVP winner Joel Embiid will miss his third consecutive game due to an ankle injury.

"We have dealt with guys being in and out all season," coach Ime Udoka said. "Albeit, it is a little different when starters are missing, but other guys will get an opportunity. That's when our depth comes in. Just keep doing what we have been doing all year. Get some rest. And get ready for Philadelphia [76ers] Friday."

DEC 27 3 ROCKETS TO G LEAGUE The Houston Rockets are making changes to their roster.

The team announced that the team has transferred Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Nate Williams to their NBA G League affiliate in Rio Grande Valley.

Rookie Cam Whitmore, who has been a prominent player with RGV this season, is staying with the NBA team after making a great impression.

“He is always going to be aggressive," coach Ime Udoka said. "That's what we wanted, with less ball stopping. I think he has grown well.”

The Rockets and Phoenix Suns are set to tip off tonight at 7:00 CT.

DEC 26 JONES TO ROCKETS? The Washington Wizards have begun the 2023-24 season as one of the worst teams in the league, and the franchise is getting an early start to the offseason.

According to Jake Weinback of HoopsHabit, Tyus Jones is one of several players Washington is willing to trade for draft assets, and the Rockets are a potential landing spot for the veteran point guard.

Jones is averaging 12.3 points on 53.7 percent shooting, 42.6 percent from behind the arc and 5.4 assists in 28 games. 

DEC 21 LUKA OUT VS. ROCKETS: The Rockets will close their two-game homestand Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks. As first reported by Marc Stein, the Mavericks will be without star guard Luka Dončić inside the Toyota Center due to a quad injury.

So far this season, Dončić has averaged 32.7 points, 9.1 assists and 8.7 rebounds. In addition to Dončić, the Mavericks will also be without Kyrie Irving (heel) and Dereck Lively II (ankle).  

BROOKS, UDOKA FINED AFTER EJECTION Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks and head coach Ime Udoka's pockets are a little lighter after they were each ejected in the Houston Rockets' 128-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday at the Fiserv Forum.

DEC 19 BROOKS, UDOKA FINED AFTER EJECTION Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks and head coach Ime Udoka's pockets are a little lighter after they were each ejected in the Houston Rockets' 128-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday at the Fiserv Forum.

Brooks was fined $35,000 and Udoka was fined $25,000 for "directing inappropriate language toward a game official," which led to their ejections. With under a minute left in the game, Brooks believed he was pushed out of bounds and argued with a referee for the no-call. Brooks was quickly assessed two technical fouls and ejected. Udoka followed suit and was sent to the showers as well. 

Houston is back in action on Wednesday at the Toyota Center when they host the Atlanta Hawks at 8 p.m. ET.

DEC 12 WHITMORE THROWS DOWN IMPRESSIVE DUNK Rockets' rookie Cam Whitmore is putting on a show for the Rockets' G League team, Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Tuesday afternoon, Whitmore posterized Texas Legends' Teafale Lenard Jr. inside Bert Ogden Arena.

Whitmore is currently averaging 26.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals across nine games with the Vipers.

DEC 10 DWIGHT WANTS THE IST Former Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard is 38 years old, but he wants to check off one more box before retiring.

Howard, who played with the Rockets from 2013-16, hasn't played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played this past season with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan.

DEC 9 AMEN THOMPSON RETURN Houston Rockets rookie Amen Thompson is one step closer to making his return to the team.

After tearing it up in the G League, Thompson is being called up by the team today and could make his return to the lineup as early as Monday against the San Antonio Spurs, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Thompson was injured on Nov. 1 with an ankle injury and has been sidelined ever since. Now, the Rockets' top rookie could be giving the team a big boost in the rotation.

NOV 26 ROCKETS HAVE NBA'S TOP DEFENSE After surrendering just 86 points in their win against the Denver Nuggets, the Houston Rockets now have the league's best defensive rating at 106.8.

The team is tied with the Orlando Magic for the top spot in the league.

Considering the fact that the Rockets ranked 29th in defensive rating a year ago, this is a huge step for Houston and a sign that Ime Udoka and his coaching staff are pushing the right buttons.

NOV 22 WHITMORE BACK TO G LEAGUE The Houston Rockets are making some changes to their roster.

According to Houston Chronicle reporter Jonathan Feigen, the Rockets are sending rookies Cam Whitmore, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Nate Hinton to the G League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers ahead of their home opener tonight against the Osceola Magic.

Tipoff between the two teams is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and can be watched on ESPN+.

NOV 17 WESTBROOK TO COME OFF THE BENCH Future Hall of Famer and former league MVP winner Russell Westbrook is taking the necessary steps in hopes of helping the Los Angeles Clippers, who are riding a six-game losing streak entering Friday's game against the Houston Rockets. 

According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Westbrook will come off the bench against the Rockets. He hopes his decision will help the Clippers' first unit of Paul George, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard establish better chemistry. Terance Mann is to start as the Clippers try to avoid their seventh consecutive loss.

NOV 15 DRAYMOND SUSPENDED Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been handed a five-game suspension for his role in yesterday's brawl, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

This means Green will miss the Warriors vs. Rockets rematch at the Chase Center on Monday.

NOV 6 HARDEN BACK Former Houston Rockets guard James Harden is set to make his Los Angeles Clippers debut tonight against the New York Knicks.

Harden is now on his third team after being dealt the Rockets back in Jan. 2021.

His trade to the Clippers reunites him with his former Rockets teammate Russell Westbrook, whom he played with during the 2019-20 season.

The Clippers and Knicks are set to tipoff at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game can be watched on NBA League Pass.

NOV 3 THOMPSON OUT Amen Thompson's night came to an early end during Wednesday's 128-119 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. During the third quarter, Thompson stepped on J.T. Thor's foot and sustained a Grade 2 right ankle sprain. He could not put weight on his ankle in the locker room and left the arena on crutches.

Coach Ime Udoka announced following Thursday's practice that the ankle injury will keep the rookie point guard out for "weeks." 

OCT 31 HARDEN TRADED The controversial James Harden, the former Houston Rockets star, has once again leveraged his way into a trade, as the Clippers have acquired the 10-time All-Star guard in a three-way blockbuster trade with the 76ers.

The 76ers are sending Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev to the Clippers ... and are getting back Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick that'll be routed from a third team, per reports.

The Clippers are now loaded on paper, with Harden joining Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook in L.A.

OCTOBER 23 ROCKETS WAIVE ROBINSON-EARL A week after the Rockets acquired him in a trade that sent Kevin Porter Jr. to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston waived forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl Monday afternoon, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Despite not playing for the Rockets, Robinson-Earl has averaged 7.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in two seasons with the Thunder.

OCTOBER 22 ROCKETS WAIVE HINTON The Rockets announced Saturday evening that the team has waived former University of Houston guard Nate Hinton. 

Hinton signed with the Rockets for training camp after a successful Summer League run in July. He will be a part of the Rockets' G League team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, who acquired him in a three-team trade from the Cleveland Charge. 

OCTOBER 20 NIX SIGNS WITH WOLVES Former Houston Rockets point guard Daishen Nix has a new NBA home.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Minnesota Timberwolves are signing Daishen Nix to a one-year deal.

Nix, 21, averaged four points per game in 57 appearances for the Rockets this past season.

OCTOBER 18 TARI EASON, JALEN GREEN OUT AGAIN: According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Jalen Green and Tari Eason will miss their second consecutive preseason game Wednesday night against the San Antonio Spurs.

Green is out due to an ongoing "toenail problem." He has averaged 11.5 points on 47.4 percent shooting from the field in two games. Eason will also miss his second consecutive game due to a leg contusion. He has averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds.

OCTOBER 18 EX-GIRLFRIEND DEFENDS PORTER?: According to the New York Post, Kevin Porter Jr.'s ex-girlfriend, Kysre Gondrezic, said the former Rockets guard did not "hit me" during an alleged fight at a New York City Hotel on Sept. 11. 

Porter was arrested and charged with multiple felonies. Monday morning, one of three charges against Porter was dropped following a hearing in Manhattan.

"He never balled his fists up and hit me, and he definitely didn't punch me in the face numerous times. That is a lie. I don't have any injuries to support that...It happened very fast, not to the degree of what was reported. It was an argument that occurred in the room for not even 10 seconds." — per the New York Post

OCTOBER 17 ROCKETS COULD MAKE MORE ROSTER CHANGES The Rockets departed from Kevin Porter Jr. Tuesday morning in a trade that sent him and two future second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In return, the Rockets received Victor Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Rockets could flip Oladipo. Fischer reported that the Rockets have expressed interest in trading for Malcolm Brogdon, Alec Burks or Talen Horton-Tucker.

OCTOBER 16 KEVIN PORTER JR. HAS CHARGE DROPPED Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter had one of three charges dropped during his hearing in Manhattan on Monday. 

The New York Post reported that Porter's charge of second-degree assault was tossed after a fractured vertebrae was found to be a congenital defect on his girlfriend and former WNBA player Kyrse Gondrezick. 

Porter is still facing charges of second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault. If convicted of second-degree strangulation, Porter would spend up to seven years in jail.

OCTOBER 16 WEMBY OUT The beginning of the rivalry between Victor Wembanyama and the Houston Rockets is going to be slightly delayed.

Wembanyama has been ruled out by the San Antonio Spurs for tonight's game against the Rockets, which begins at 7 p.m.

The next chance Wemby will have to face the Rockets will come Wednesday night in San Antonio. 

OCTOBER 13 JOSH CHRISTOPHER SIGNS WITH JAZZ A former member of the Houston Rockets has a new home.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Utah Jazz is signing Josh Christopher to a two-way contract.

Christopher, 21, played his first two NBA seasons with the Rockets after being drafted with the No. 24 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. However, he struggled to find a consistent role in Houston and was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies during the offseason. The Grizzlies waived him, and now he has a chance to make an impact with the Jazz.

OCTOBER 12 DILLON BROOKS FINED The NBA announced Thursday afternoon that Rockets forward Dillon Brooks has been fined $25,000 for recklessly making contact with Daniel Theis in the groin area.

The incident took place Tuesday night during the Rockets' 122-103 preseason victory over the Indiana Pacers. Brooks was assessed a flagrant two foul and ejected at the 7:27 mark of the first quarter.

"The previous play, I think Theis might have flopped, in his opinion," Udoka said. "We love his aggressiveness and physicality. But reputations carry in the NBA and people will look for certain things. You got to monitor that better."

OCTOBER 12 ROCKETS PICK UP TEAM OPTIONS The Houston Rockets are solidifying their core.

According to The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen, the Rockets are picking up third-year options for Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. The team is also picking up fourth-year options on Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun.

This ensures that all of these players will be under contract thru the 2024-25 season.

OCTOBER 3 ROCKETS ADD DEFENSIVE VETERAN The Rockets plan to sign free agent forward Reggie Bullock once he clears waivers. Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to report. Bullock will join the Rockets after being waived by the San Antonio Spurs.

As a 10-year veteran, Bullock has shot 38.4 percent from behind the arc across 512 career games.