Lakers Injury Report: Multiple Ailing Rockets Sidelined Vs LA

The Rockets will be without important pieces tonight.

As the young Rockets head into their matchup with the veteran Lakers for the fourth and final time this regular season, they'll be without two contributors, including arguably their best defensive player. 

Tari Eason (leg) will miss tonight's game, as he continues to recover from a stress fracture he suffered during the preseason. While he's played some games, he's been on a minutes restriction while clearly not being his rookie-year self, as the former All-Rookie Second-Team selection was a key contributor on the defensive side of the ball. 

#Rockets Injury Report
-Tari Eason remains out.
-Jabari Smith (sprained ankle, missed four games) isn’t on the injury report. He ended up being ruled out the last two times he wasn’t on the injury report though, so I’ll look for confirmation that he’s back.

-Jeff Green would be…

— Fantasy Pipeline NBA (@FP_NBA) January 29, 2024

Without him, Houston will rely heavily on Dillon Brooks to handle the assignment of LeBron James, which, historically, has never favored Brooks. Expect a heavy dose of trash-talking and intense physicality between the two, as per usual. 

Victor Oladipo (knee) will also be out, as he continues to recover from a patellar tendon tear that he suffered as a member of the Miami Heat last season during their playoff run. His playmaking, defense, and leadership will be missed as the Rockets continue to look to find their footing. 

At 3-7 in their past 10 games, Houston seems without direction, as despite good individual seasons from seemingly everyone besides Jalen Green, they sit at 21-24 and outside of the Play-In picture.