On Thursday, January 29, the Houston Rockets (28-17) head to Atlanta to face the Hawks (24-25) at the State Farm Arena.

When: Thursday, January 29 @ 7:00 PM CT

Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta

Where to watch:

Space City Home Network (local)

NBA LeaguePass (with subscription)

FanDuel Sports Network

Subject to local blackouts

Tonight’s injury report isn’t just a list- it’s a roadmap for how this game is likely to be played.

Houston: 

Questionable: Alperen Şengün (ankle sprain)

Out: Tari Eason (lower leg)

Out: Steven Adams (ankle sprain)

Out: Fred VanVleet (ACL repair)

Atlanta:

Out: Jalen Johnson (left calf tightness)

Out: Onyeka Okongwu (dental; fracture)

Out: Kristaps Porziņģis (left Achilles tendinitis)

Out: Zaccharie Risacher (left knee; bone contusion)

Out: Dante N’Faly (right knee; torn ACL repair)

Houston enters the night short-handed in ways that directly affect structure. Alperen Şengün is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain, and his status looms over everything. If Şengün goes, he’ll be carrying more than usage- he’ll be responsible for Houston’s interior offense, rebounding balance, and late-clock stability. If he doesn’t, the Rockets are forced into smaller, faster lineups with far less margin in the paint.

Either way, Houston is already without key support pieces. Steven Adams remains out following season-ending ankle surgery, removing Houston’s only true physical counter inside. Fred VanVleet is still sidelined after ACL repair, keeping Houston in its post-FVV identity. 

Tari Eason is also out, which strips away energy minutes, transition pressure, and one of Houston’s best connective defenders. Dorian Finney-Smith remains unavailable as well, thinning Houston’s wing depth and defensive versatility.

Atlanta’s injury report is just as impactful, and arguably more disruptive.

The Hawks are without Jalen Johnson, a major loss in transition, rebounding, and switch defense. Onyeka Okongwu being out removes Atlanta’s most flexible interior defender and small-ball anchor. 

Add in the absence of Kristaps Porziņģis, and Atlanta’s frontcourt depth takes a real hit, especially against a team that likes to stress the paint through movement and angles. Zaccharie Risacher is also unavailable, limiting Atlanta’s wing rotation and defensive options.

With both teams missing structural pieces rather than headline scorers, tonight’s game won’t hinge on talent alone. It will come down to who manages spacing, tempo, and physical responsibility better once the game inevitably gets uncomfortable.

Availability sets the tone. Execution decides the outcome.