The Pacers’ Ben Sheppard faces meniscus surgery Wednesday after a left‑knee tear, likely a meniscectomy that could sideline him just a few weeks, coach Rick Carlisle says. Meanwhile, center Ivica Zubac’s ankle sprain improves—he entered the arena boot‑free—but guard Andrew Nembhard sits out with a back issue. Elsewhere, the Rockets’ Steven Adams is out until at least early November with a right soleus strain, Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa misses his fourth game but is progressing, and the Hornets have no timelines for Coby White, Kon Knueppel or Grant Williams despite “positive steps.” Nuggets forward Spencer Jones hopes to debut within the next three games after bilateral hamstring management.
The Houston Rockets host the Atlanta Hawks at the Toyota Center on Oct. 26, 2026, with tip‑off at 7:30 PM CST (Space City Home Network). Expected lineups feature Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün for Houston, and CJ McCollum, Nikeil Alexander‑Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu for Atlanta. The Rockets are missing Steven Adams (calf) and Marcus Smart (forearm), while the Hawks list Mo Gueye as injured. The game will also be broadcast on KBME Sports Talk 790 and KLTN 102.9 (español).
The combined thread previews two marquee matchups on October 26, 2026. The Atlanta Hawks (2‑1) travel to Houston to face the 3‑0 Rockets on Tuesday night, with tip‑off at 8:30 PM EDT at Toyota Center; the game streams on Amazon Prime, NBA League Pass and YouTube TV, and airs locally on Peachtree TV and WANF. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream (2‑2) seek to even the WNBA Finals series against the Golden State Valkyries at San Francisco’s Chase Center, starting at 8:00 PM EDT and available on NBC, USA and Peacock. Starting lineups are listed, featuring CJ McCollum and Jordin Canada for the Hawks and Dream respectively.
The Hawks must play better defense against Houston's shooters to avenge their home-opening loss on Saturday.
The Atlanta Hawks lost to the Houston Rockets thanks to their inability to convert looks from deep - this must change to best the Rockets on Monday.
The San Antonio Spurs stumble out of the gate, dropping their first two games (104-116 to OKC, 110-114 to Houston) before snapping a win 106-122 at Dallas against a depleted Mavericks squad. Victor Wembanyama struggles with his shot (2‑for‑13 vs. Thunder, 5‑for‑28 overall) and rookie Jaylen Williams suffers a likely season‑ending leg injury. Coach Mitch Johnson’s new three‑guard lineup (De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper) shows mixed results, posting a modest +1.4 net rating but the team shoots only 41.5% overall and 28.1% from three. The Spurs sit 1‑2, ninth in the West, with a softer 12‑game stretch ahead that could lift them toward the top of the conference.
Cooper Flagg is upgraded to probable for the Mavericks' Monday game against the Miami Heat after completing a shootaround, despite a mild left shoulder sprain that sidelined him on Friday. The 19‑year‑old, 2025 No. 1 pick, left the Indiana Pacers game with 14 points and missed the Spurs loss before an MRI confirmed the sprain. He scored 32 points in the season opener versus Houston. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving returns after a knee issue, while Naji Marshall (illness) and Caleb Martin (thumb sprain) remain out, and several players continue to sit with injuries. Tip‑off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Kaseya Center.
The Houston Rockets, fresh off a 3‑0 start, face the Atlanta Hawks in a rematch while dealing with guard injuries. Marcus Smart, listed as questionable with a forearm issue, could return to boost the Rockets' perimeter defense and shooting, while Fred VanVleet's health remains a factor. Kevin Durant praised the duo's ability to protect the paint and stretch the floor, noting their impact after the recent win over the Mavericks. The outcome hinges on whether Smart—and potentially VanVleet—suit up for the home game against Atlanta.
The Monday, Oct. 26 NBA injury report lists several key absences ahead of upcoming games. Moses Moody, Mark Williams and Steven Adams are confirmed out, while Cooper Flagg is listed as questionable for the Dallas Mavericks’ matchup against the Miami Heat. Marcus Smart is ruled out for the Houston Rockets, and some teams have yet to submit their updates. The report highlights roster concerns that could impact early‑season matchups.
The Atlanta Hawks, once again, have the Houston Rockets next on the schedule, and will be looking to right their wrongs.
With the Rockets unbeaten at 3‑0, head coach Ime Udoka appears to be shelving veteran center Steven Adams after just one game this season. Adams, plagued by durability issues – 32 games last year and a missed 2023‑24 campaign – raises concerns about the Rockets' long‑term big‑man depth. The article argues the team should consider Oscar Tshiebwe as a backup, noting his 15.1% offensive rebounding rate (8th in the league) as a near‑match to Adams’ 18.9% rank‑3 performance. While Capela remains an option, his limited minutes and defensive liabilities make him a stopgap. The piece warns Houston must secure a reliable front‑court spare or target a 2027 draft prospect soon.
The Rockets host the Hawks as Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun look to extend Houston's unbeaten start.
The Mavericks open the 2026‑27 season 1‑2, dropping to Houston (128‑110) and San Antonio (122‑106) but beating Indiana (121‑105). Rookie Cooper Flagg shines with 23 points per game before a shoulder injury sidelines him for the Spurs game. Despite ‘quarter‑by‑quarter’ inconsistencies, Dallas ranks in the league’s top half for offensive rating (112.0) and shows flashes of strong defense. Coach Dusty May’s rotations are still settling, while bench contributors like Marcus Sasser and Sergio de Larrea impress. With upcoming games against Miami, OKC and a rematch with Houston, the Mavs have playoff potential if they find consistency.
The Houston Rockets host the Atlanta Hawks tonight at the Toyota Center, with the Rockets favored by 5.5 points. Houston may see the return of Fred VanVleet—and possibly Marcus Smart—while Steven Adams remains out. The Rockets previously beat the Hawks despite missing three rotation players, holding off a late fourth‑quarter rally. Atlanta, missing Mo Guéye, will be eager to avoid a second loss to Houston and hopes to improve its 27% three‑point shooting. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. CT on Space City Home Network.
The Houston Rockets kick off the 2026-27 season with a flawless 3-0 start, posting wins over the Mavericks (128-110), Spurs (114-110) and Hawks (121-114). Key moves include acquiring Marcus Smart, signing Bogdan Bogdanovic, and the returns of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, who immediately impact play. Kevin Durant drops 30 points in each of the first two games, while Jabari Smith Jr. adds another 30 and Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson showcase new shooting range. Despite an early ejection of Tari Eason and limited minutes for Reed Shepperd, the team displays depth and resilience, positioning Ime Udoka’s squad as a serious contender in Texas and the league.
After overcoming a life‑threatening blood clot diagnosed in December 2025, 22‑year‑old forward Cam Whitmore lands a two‑way contract with the Denver Nuggets. The former 20th‑overall pick, who posted 12.3 PPG in his rookie season with Houston, showed his explosiveness in preseason, scoring 14 points in 15 minutes against Utah and 17 against the Clippers. Nuggets coach David Adelman believes Whitmore’s rim‑raiding, free‑throw ability and scoring off the bench could revive his stalled NBA career, though he remains a developmental project. Denver will decide by season’s end whether to convert his deal to a standard roster spot.
In their first home game of the 2026-27 season, the Atlanta Hawks fell to the Houston Rockets despite a strong backcourt effort. The Hawks shot a dismal 13‑for‑49 (26.5%) from three‑point range, while Jalen Johnson led with 26 points. Houston capitalized on the mismatch, hitting 40% from deep and relying on Kevin Durant’s 22 points and Alperen Şengün’s 17 and 10 rebounds. Both teams entered 2‑0, and the Hawks will meet the Rockets again on Oct. 26.
The Houston Rockets improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season with a 121-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, October 24, at State Farm Arena. Kevin Durant scored 22 points, while Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason added 19 apiece as Houston held off a late Atlanta rally. Amen Thompson and […]
The post Seven Rockets score in double figures to beat Hawks appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
The Houston Rockets edge the Atlanta Hawks 121‑114 on Oct. 24 at State Farm Arena, snapping a tough back‑to‑back stretch after a grueling road win in Austin. Reed Sheppard leads the offense, posting a key three‑pointer, while Alperen Şengün dominates the paint and Kevin Durant logs 36 minutes. Despite missing Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart, the Rockets hold a 7‑0 deficit early, rally with a 20‑point surge, and withstand a late Hawks comeback—Atlanta shoots 49 threes (13 made) versus Houston’s 14 of 28. The win marks the Rockets’ 18‑4 record in Sheppard starts and signals a potentially strongest roster in a decade.
The Houston Rockets improved their early regular season record to 3-0 after a 121-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, so are they finally realizing their potential?
In their home opener, the Atlanta Hawks fall 121-114 to the Houston Rockets despite a strong fourth‑quarter push. Jalen Johnson leads with 26 points, nine rebounds and 16 assists, while Nickeil Alexander‑Walker adds 18 points and three early threes. Dyson Daniels contributes a late 3‑pointer and 18 points with eight boards. The Rockets, unbeaten at 2-0 and missing Fred VanVleet, maintain a double‑digit edge throughout, extending the lead to 20 points in the third before sealing the win. The Hawks return to face Houston again on Monday.
The Houston Rockets are flying high after their dramatic win over the San Antonio Spurs, which saw them improve to 2-0. They had sights set on win No. 3 Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks, and Alperen Sengun was more than doing his part. Early in the third quarter, the Turkish big man decided to take […]
The post Rockets’ Alperen Sengun rattles the rim with insane slam dunk vs. Hawks appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Pelicans get good news as Yves Missi’s left‑knee injury turns out to be a bone bruise, not a severe tear, after being carried off following a collision with Zion Williamson. Missi, who posted 13 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks on opening night, remains a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, though his exact return timeline is unclear. Meanwhile, guard Walter Clayton signs a two‑way deal with the Mavericks, joining their rebuild, while the Rockets count on Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to fuel a faster, more versatile lineup. The Spurs struggle with a 0‑2 start, their new three‑guard trio posting a minus‑11 rating and relying heavily on Victor Wembanyama’s sputtering shot.
The Atlanta Hawks open their home slate against the Houston Rockets on October 24, 2026, at State Farm Arena, kickoff 8:30 PM EDT. The Hawks’ starting five features CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. Fans can tune in via Peachtree TV (WPCH) or Atlanta News First (WANF), listen on Sports Radio 92.9 the Game, or stream on Amazon Prime, NBA League Pass (out‑of‑market) and YouTube TV. A photo from the Oct 21 Magic‑Hawks game caps the preview.
The Houston Rockets head to State Farm Arena on Oct. 24 to battle the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 PM CST. The matchup features Rockets stars Amen Thompson—who famously blocked Victor Wembanyama’s late second‑half dunk—alongside Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Şengün. Atlanta lines up CJ “Gollum” McCollum, Dyson “Sphere” Daniels and Jalen Jalenson, while Marcus Smart sits out and Reed Sheppard is confirmed to play. TV coverage airs on Space City Home Network, with radio on KBME 790 and KLTN 102.9 (español).