Rockets Have Bad Injury News vs. Raptors

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The Houston Rockets are already banged up with Fred VanVleet (ankle sprain) and Jabari Smith Jr. (broken hand) out with injuries, but they are expected to lose another two players ahead of their game against the Toronto Raptors.
According to Sports Radio 610 reporter Adam Spolane, the Rockets will be without Tari Eason and Steven Adams for today's game against the Raptors after playing heavy minutes in their most recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Rockets say Tari Eason (leg injury management) and Steven Adams (ankle) will miss today's game against the Raptors. No changes to the status of Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 9, 2025
Raptors will be without R.J. Barrett (concussion), Brandon Ingram (ankle), and Jakob Poeltl (hip)
Eason drew the start with both VanVleet and Smith out and Adams played a key role off the bench, but for today's game, neither will suit up.
This likely means that Jeff Green and Jae'Sean Tate will see expanded roles in the rotation. One of them is expected to start at the power forward position with Alperen Sengun lining up next to them at center.
The Raptors will also be short-handed in the game as RJ Barrett (concussion), Jakob Poeltl (hip) and Brandon Ingram (ankle) will be out for Toronto.
The Rockets have lost six consecutive games, which is far and away the longest losing streak of their season. A win today is needed to help eradicate all of the tough blows they have faced over the past few weeks, and it will give them a chance to start fresh with the All-Star Break looming.
Tipoff for the game is set for 1 p.m. CT.
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Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.