Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets: preview and player stats (Jan 9, 2027)

League Suspension (2026-11-13, UTA@HOU). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Smart has been suspended three games for throwing a punch during Wednesday's matchup against Golden State, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Smart, who was ejected from Wednesday's game for punching Charles Bassey, will begin serving his suspension Friday night against the Jazz, meaning he'll be eligible to return Wednesday versus Indiana. Bruce Thornton and Reed Sheppard should be in line for more minutes while Smart serves his three-game ban.

Injury/Illness - Right Soleus Strain (2026-11-13, UTA@HOU). Prior reporting (2026-11-09): Head coach Ime Udoka said Monday that Adams could return as soon as Sunday's game at Washington, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports. The veteran center is still recovering from a right soleus strain and hasn't played since Oct. 23. With Adams and Clint Capela (ankle) both sidelined, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith figure to see increased burn at center.

Injury/Illness - Right Ankle Sprain (2026-11-13, UTA@HOU). Prior reporting (2026-11-09): Head coach Ime Udoka stated Monday that Capela (ankle) could be cleared to return either Nov. 15 in Washington or Nov. 16 in Miami, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports. Capela is missing a fourth straight game Monday against Denver due to a right ankle sprain, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. He'll presumably need to log 5-on-5 work before gaining clearance to play, though the Rockets haven't disclosed how far along the big man is in his rehab.

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-13, UTA@HOU).

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-13, UTA@HOU).

Traore (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports. Traore will miss his first game of the season after being downgraded from questionable to out. The second-year wing was flourishing in a starting role, averaging 15.1 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 24.9 minutes over his past seven games. With Mikel Brown (illness) and Traore unavailable, Egor Demin (leg), Keon Ellis, Chaney Johnson, Noah Clowney and Danny Wolf are candidates for increased roles.

Brown has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans due to an illness, Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today reports. Brown had been sidelined for Sunday's 130-93 loss to the Mavericks due to back injury management and was slated to return to action Wednesday. However, he appears to have fallen ill overnight, as the Nets added him to the injury report as questionable earlier Wednesday before downgrading him to out.