For only the second time as Rockets, big men Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams started together during Tuesday’s preseason victory over New Orleans. Statistically, the unit’s success was undeniable.
The Rockets with Steven Adams on the court vs Pelicans (24 minutes)…
OffRtg: 141.1
DefRtg: 94.6
NetRtg: +46.5
Plus-minus: +26
True Shooting %: 66.8
Off Rebound %: 39.1% pic.twitter.com/nXrRZ7Daf9
— Steven Adams Stats (@funakistats) October 15, 2025
Entering the 2025-26 preseason, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka made it clear that Houston had one starting lineup spot still up for grabs. Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. are confirmed starters.
In Tuesday’s road exhibition in Birmingham, Alabama, versus the New Orleans Pelicans (recap), Houston experimented with a “double big” starting lineup — featuring two centers in Sengun and Steven Adams — for the first time.
The Pelicans started a physical frontcourt between star forward Zion Williamson and young center Yves Missi, which made it an optimal time for the Rockets to go bigger, themselves.
Adams had 2 points and 9 rebounds, but what was most noteworthy is that the Rockets were an astounding +26 in his 24 minutes during the 130-128 victory (box score). Houston is now 3-0 in preseason play, while the Pelicans are 2-1.
“Good starts, just gotta sustain it,” Udoka said of the two-center lineup, via the Houston Chronicle. “Still figuring that out, spacing and some things like that. But overall, they played well off each other.”
Per Danielle Lerner of the Chronicle, Udoka wasn’t pleased with Houston’s turnovers (11 from Tuesday’s starters, though none by Adams directly) and some occasional lapses on defense. However, the team’s overall productivity with Adams on the floor was impossible to deny.
Going forward, with Dorian Finney-Smith (offseason ankle surgery) unavailable to start the regular season, the Rockets effectively have three options for their fifth and final starting lineup spot. Those candidates are Adams, second-year guard Reed Sheppard, and fourth-year guard/forward Tari Eason, with each representing a very different player archetype.
Through three exhibitions, each member of that trio has gotten at least one game of evaluation as a starter and another as a reserve. Adams came off the bench and Durant sat out in Houston’s preseason opener, which allowed both Sheppard and Eason to start.
In the second exhibition, which came two nights later, Durant returned but Adams sat out —and Sheppard continued to start. Eason came off the bench.
On Tuesday, Adams started and both Sheppard and Eason played off the bench.
Through three exhibitions, here are the average statistics for each player:
Sheppard (-2.7 plus/minus): 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 3.0 turnovers in 21.0 minutes; 47.6% FG, 42.9% on 3-pointersEason (+0.3 plus/minus): 12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists in 19.4 minutes; 53.3% FG, 11.1% on 3-pointersAdams (+11 plus/minus): 5.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 20.2 minutes; 62.5% FG
It remains to be seen what the plan is for Thursday’s preseason finale at Atlanta, but it appears Udoka wants to get as much information as realistically possible before finalizing a starting lineup for next Tuesday’s regular-season opener at Oklahoma City.
The Thunder often start a large frontcourt featuring Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, which might make the “double big” a worthwhile consideration for that game, in particular. Sengun and Adams started only once together last season, and it was an April 4 victory over Oklahoma City.
Per the Houston Chronicle, Udoka said Tuesday’s lineup could be the regular-season starting group, depending on the opponent’s personnel. Assuming Holmgren and Hartenstein play and start, the Thunder might be such a team.
Let’s take a look at the box score as the #Rockets beat New Orleans 130-128@HoustonRockets start the double big lineup
Alperen Sengun +17 🏀 Steven Adams +26
Jabari Smith Jr led all starters with 26 PTS
Tari Eason led the reserves with 20 PTS pic.twitter.com/4ScQ2hUNbq
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 15, 2025
The Rockets Jumbo starting lineup dominated tonight….
♦️Outscored the Pelicans by 12 points in just over 12 minutes
♦️Rebounded 70.4% (!!!!!) of misses.
♦️ +65.7 net rating pic.twitter.com/ziRoG5juar
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 15, 2025