Rockets vs Celtics Injury Report VanVleet Returns as Capela Sits

The Houston Rockets get Fred VanVleet back tonight against the Boston Celtics, but they'll have to get through it without Clint Capela. Capela was downgraded from questionable to out with a right ankle sprain on the latest official NBA injury report, while VanVleet is off the report entirely after sitting out Saturday's win over Oklahoma City on the second night of a back-to-back.

Houston is 6-1 and hasn't lost at Toyota Center yet, with its only loss coming in Dallas last Friday. Boston is 5-1 and riding a five-game winning streak, but it's playing for the second straight night after winning in Orlando on Sunday, and Paul George is getting the night off.

When: Monday, November 2 @ 7:30 PM CT

Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

Where to watch: Space City Home Network, SCHN+, NBA League Pass

HOUSTON ROCKETS INJURY REPORT

Out: Clint Capela (C), right ankle sprain. Downgraded from questionable after playing 10 minutes Saturday.

Out: Steven Adams (C), right soleus strain. Still hasn't played since the October 23 win over San Antonio.

Questionable: Reed Sheppard (G), low back strain. Has missed the last two games.

Available: Fred VanVleet (G), off the report after resting Saturday.

BOSTON CELTICS INJURY REPORT

Out: Paul George (F), rest. Second night of a back-to-back.

Out: Devin Carter (G), illness.

Available: Mitchell Robinson (C), off the report after resting Sunday in Orlando.

WHY IT MATTERS

Capela's absence is the one that changes Houston's math. With Adams still out, the Rockets are down to Alperen Şengün and Oscar Tshiebwe at center, and Tshiebwe played just over four minutes Saturday. Şengün also picked up four fouls against Oklahoma City, so if the whistles start early, Ime Udoka is going to have to get creative with smaller lineups.

The timing isn't great, either. Mitchell Robinson sat Sunday and returns tonight, giving Boston its full three-center rotation back, according to MassLive. Robinson makes a living on the offensive glass, and Houston can't afford to hand out extra possessions with this little size behind Şengün.

VanVleet's return steadies the backcourt. Marcus Smart made the most of his spot start Saturday, scoring 24 points on seven threes, and he likely heads back to the bench now. That gives Houston's second unit a guard who just went 7-of-10 from deep, which is a pretty nice luxury to have.

Sheppard is the one to watch before tipoff. His listing changed from low back soreness to a low back strain, so I'd treat questionable as a real question. If he sits a third straight game, Houston still has VanVleet, Smart and Amen Thompson to handle the ball.

For Boston, George is the big loss. He played 33 minutes and scored 17 in Orlando, and this is the first game he's missed all season. That puts even more on Jayson Tatum, who just scored 32 on Sunday with 15 of them at the free-throw line. Sam Hauser, Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman should all see more minutes with George out.

Houston is a 4.5-point favorite at DraftKings and FanDuel. The Celtics are on their second game in two nights, they're down a star and they're walking into a building where Houston hasn't lost. If the Rockets keep Şengün out of foul trouble, missing Capela shouldn't cost them this one.

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