Rockets vs. Wizards Preview: Another Test Awaits

The Washington Wizards host the Houston Rockets tonight.

Jeremy Brener | Jan 7, 2025

Nov 11, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr (20) dribbles against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

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Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards are hoping to shake off their losses against the New Orleans Pelicans as they host the Houston Rockets tonight at Capital One Arena.

The Wizards come into the game needing to prove themselves after returning to the worst record in the NBA.

Meanwhile, the Rockets are coming in fresh after beating LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

The Rockets are recovering from the loss of Jabari Smith Jr., who broke his hand during shootaround ahead of Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. With Smith out, the Rockets started last year's No. 4 overall pick Amen Thompson in his place, and he shined with 23 points and 16 rebounds.

The Wizards will have their hands full with Thompson and Jalen Green, who has begun to play with a little more consistency as of late for the Rockets.

The game will be a good test for the Wizards as the Rockets are one of the better teams right now in the NBA, and a win would be their most impressive of the season.

Here's a look at everything you need to know ahead of tonight's game:

Rockets vs. Wizards Information

Date, Location: Tuesday, January 7 - Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Rockets vs. Wizards Injury Report

Houston Rockets

PF Tari Eason (DOUBTFUL - lower leg)

PF Jabari Smith Jr. (OUT - broken hand)

Washington Wizards

SF Saddiq Bey (OUT - knee)

SF Bilal Coulibaly (QUESTIONABLE - illness)

PF Marvin Bagley III (OUT - knee)

SG Jordan Poole (QUESTIONABLE - hip)

Rockets vs. Wizards Projected Starting Lineups

Houston Rockets

PG Fred VanVleet
SG Jalen Green
SF Dillon Brooks
PF Amen Thompson
C Alperen Sengun

Washington Wizards

PG Bub Carrington
SG Jordan Poole
SF Bilal Coulibaly
PF Justin Champagnie
C Alex Sarr

Make sure you bookmark Washington Wizards on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Published Jan 7, 2025

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.