Houston isn't exactly the "young and scrappy" team you remember from two years ago. Not anymore.
When the Houston Rockets starting lineup today takes the floor against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Toyota Center, you’re looking at a bizarre, high-stakes experiment that feels like a fever dream for anyone who hasn't checked a box score since 2024.
The biggest shocker? Kevin Durant is a Rocket.
Yeah, the "Slim Reaper" is officially wearing the red and white, and he’s been carrying an absurd load lately. With the 7:00 PM ET tip-off approaching, Ime Udoka has some massive holes to plug. Fred VanVleet is done for the season with a torn ACL. Tari Eason is still nursing that stubborn ankle.
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It’s been a rough 2026 so far for Space City. After a decent December, they’ve stumbled to a 3-5 record in January, including a soul-crushing 20-point blowout loss to the Thunder.
But honestly, the lineup tonight is a fascinating mix of "win-now" desperation and "we hope the kids are alright."
The Projected Houston Rockets Starting Lineup Today
If you’re betting on the starters, expect Udoka to stick with the heavy hitters that nearly toppled the Timberwolves a couple of nights ago.
- PG: Amen Thompson
- SG: Kevin Durant
- SF: Josh Okogie
- PF: Jabari Smith Jr.
- C: Alperen Sengun
Wait, Durant at the two? Basically.
Because of the roster crunch and FVV being out, Durant has been forced to handle more playmaking and perimeter duties. Against Minnesota, he dropped 39 points and looked like he hadn't aged a day since his MVP years. He's 37. It's kind of terrifying.
Amen Thompson has stepped into the primary ball-handling role, and the results are... mixed. He’s a defensive monster—seriously, he’s probably going to make another All-Defensive team—but his jumper is still a work in progress. When he misses 12 of 16 shots like he did against OKC, things get ugly fast.
Why Alperen Sengun is the Real Engine
While KD gets the headlines, the offense still breathes through Alperen Sengun.
He’s averaging 21.6 points and 6.4 assists this season. He’s basically a walking triple-double threat at the center spot. However, his free-throw shooting has been a nightmare lately—3-for-9 in the last game is just not going to cut it in a close fourth quarter.
The matchup tonight against Zion Williamson is going to be physical. Like, "don't-look-away-or-you'll-miss-a-technical" physical. Sengun needs to stay out of foul trouble because the depth behind him is Steven Adams and Clint Capela (who’s back in Houston, by the way), but neither offers the offensive flow that Alpi does.
The Missing Pieces and the "Sheppard" Problem
You've probably noticed a name missing from the starters: Reed Sheppard.
The 2024 third-overall pick has been a spark plug off the bench, but some fans are screaming for him to start over Josh Okogie. It makes sense on paper. The Rockets rank 25th in offensive rating since January 1st. They can't hit a three-pointer to save their lives—shooting a pathetic 29% from deep against the Thunder.
Sheppard provides that spacing. Okogie provides the grit.
Ime Udoka is a defensive-first coach. He'd rather lose a game 98-95 than win it 130-128. That’s why Okogie is out there. He’s the "dirty work" guy who frees up Durant to just be a flamethrower. But with the trade deadline only three weeks away, the front office has to be looking at this Houston Rockets starting lineup today and wondering if they need a "real" point guard.
Recent Performance Struggles
- Shooting Woes: The team shot 33.7% against the Thunder. That's G-League territory.
- Durant Fatigue: KD played 40 minutes against the Timberwolves. At 37, that's a lot of mileage for a regular-season game in mid-January.
- The Point Guard Void: Without VanVleet, the turnover numbers have spiked. Amen is great, but he's not a floor general yet.
What to Watch For Against the Pelicans
New Orleans is coming in with their own issues, but they still have Zion.
If Jabari Smith Jr. can’t hold his own at the four, Udoka might have to shuffle the deck early. Jabari has been solid—averaging about 15 and 8—but he’s struggled with his perimeter consistency lately.
Also, keep an eye on Dorian Finney-Smith. He’s been listed as day-to-day. If he’s a go, he might actually slide into that starting SF spot to give the Rockets more length against the Pelicans' wings.
The Rockets are currently hovering around the 7th spot in the Western Conference power rankings. They've fallen out of that "elite" tier of the Nuggets and Thunder. This game is sort of a "must-win" if they want to stay out of the Play-In tournament mess.
Real Advice for Rockets Fans Right Now
If you're watching the Houston Rockets starting lineup today, don't just look at the box score. Watch the spacing when Amen Thompson has the ball.
Opponents are sagging off him like he's Ben Simmons circa 2021. This forces Durant to work twice as hard to get an open look. If the Rockets don't find a way to punish teams for ignoring Amen on the perimeter, this offense will stay stuck in the mud.
- Monitor the Bench Minutes: If Reed Sheppard plays more than 25 minutes, it means Udoka is finally prioritizing shooting over defense.
- Sengun’s Aggression: If Alpi isn't looking for his own shot in the first quarter, the Pelicans' defense will just sit on the passing lanes.
- The KD Usage: Watch if Durant is bringing the ball up the floor. If he is, it means the trust in the young guards is thinning.
The trade deadline is February 6th. This current lineup is an audition. Whether it’s Dorian Finney-Smith, Jae’Sean Tate, or even one of the young guys, someone might be on a different team by next month if this slump doesn't end tonight.
Keep an eye on the official injury report about 30 minutes before tip-off. NBA lineups in 2026 are more fluid than ever, and a "sore knee" for Durant could change everything in a heartbeat.