On Thursday, January 22, the Houston Rockets (26-15) head back East to face the Philadelphia 76ers (23-19) for the first time this season at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. 

When: Thursday, January 22 @ 6:00 PM CT 

Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia

Where to watch:

Space City Home Network (local)

NBA League Pass (with subscription)

Subject to local blackouts

Keep this list handy. These injuries aren’t background noise- they’ll show up on the floor.

Houston: 

Questionable: Guard - Aaron Holiday (back)

Out: Center - Steven Adams (ankle)

Out: Guard - Fred VanVleet (ACL)

Philadelphia:

Available: Forward - Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee)

Questionable: Forward - Paul George (knee)

Probable: Center - Joel Embiid (ankle)

On Houston’s side, Steven Adams remains out after spraining his left ankle in Sunday night’s win over New Orleans, thinning an already tight frontcourt rotation. Without him, the physical interior workload and minutes almost entirely shift to Alperen Şengün.

Şengün is more than capable of carrying that load, as we’ve seen in these last couple of games, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’ll be anchoring the paint while absorbing extra bumps on the glass without a true bruiser behind him. And against a Philadelphia team that likes to test the paint early, that extra responsibility carries weight.

Fred VanVleet is still sidelined, and at this point the Rockets are operating in their established post-FVV identity.

Aaron Holiday’s status is worth monitoring. If he’s limited or unavailable, Houston’s guard rotation tightens a bit, placing more ball-handling responsibility on Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard. 

That’s not necessarily a negative, as both have thrived in expanded roles- especially as of late. But it does raise the stakes against a Philadelphia defense that likes to apply pressure at the point of attack.

For Philadelphia, Joel Embiid being listed as probable matters most. Even at less than full strength, he remains the Sixers’ offensive and defensive axis- and his presence reshapes the floor. Embiid anchors the paint, commands double teams, and forces defensive decisions that ripple through every possession. Houston’s test tonight is defending him without fouling and rebounding through contact- and that test will come immediately.

When available, Paul George operates as Philadelphia’s “do it all” wing- a two-way man who can space the floor, create, and take on the tougher perimeter defensive assignments. If he is limited or sidelined, Philadelphia loses a major stabilizer on both ends. If he plays, the Sixers’ lineup stays flexible and matchups can shift on the fly. 

Kelly Oubre Jr. being available gives Philadelphia an energy wing who thrives in transition, chaos, and broken plays- an area Houston will need to be mindful of on the road. If Oubre is fully available, the 76ers regain their extra gear in transition and someone to bring pressure to Houston’s defense without needing plays called for him.

The Rockets don’t need perfection to compete tonight- but they do need discipline. If Houston can protect possessions and stay connected defensively, this turns into a real road test instead of a long night.