Updated Jan. 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
With Tari Eason as the latest example, sprained right ankles are becoming a common theme for the 2025-26 Houston Rockets<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a span of under two weeks, Eason, Steven Adams, and Alperen Sengun have all suffered the identical injury designation. Adams returned earlier this week after a one-week absence, while Sengun is expected to miss 10-14 day<\/a>s, in total.<\/p>\n While there was no immediate word as to a return timeline, Eason suffered his injury in the third quarter of Friday night\u2019s 111-105 loss (box score<\/a>) in Portland. The fourth-year forward was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game, though he did return to Houston\u2019s bench, in uniform.<\/p>\n All indications are that Eason was able to walk, without assistance, while putting weight on his right leg. That would seemingly point to a relatively minor sprain, perhaps along the same lines as what Adams and Sengun have dealt with.<\/p>\n If Eason misses any additional time, Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, and Dorian Finney-Smith are among the reserves who could be in line for a minutes increase.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n With the latest loss, Houston (22-13) is now just 11-11 on the road this season. The Trail Blazers (19-20) are 10-9 at home, where they beat the Rockets in consecutive games this week.<\/p>\n After taking a 13-point lead after three quarters, the Rockets were outscored by 19 in the fourth. Eason \u2014 who entered as one of the NBA\u2019s best 3-point shooters, at 46.8%, and has started since Christmas<\/a> \u2014 was unavailable for the entirety of that frame,<\/p>\n Jabari Smith Jr. (13 points, 8 rebounds) shot 0-of-8 in the fourth quarter, but with Eason and Sengun unavaialble and Finney-Smith minutes limited<\/a>, head coach Ime Udoka had few viable replacement options.<\/p>\n Kevin Durant led the way with 30 efficient points (55.0% FG) and moved to No. 7<\/a> on the NBA\u2019s all-time scoring list, but yet again, it wasn\u2019t enough for a win.<\/p>\n Houston returns to action on Sunday night in Sacramento, where tipoff versus the Kings (8-29) is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Central. The game will televised regionally\u00a0on Space City Home Network (SCHN)<\/a>\u00a0and nationally via\u00a0NBA League Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n