The Houston Rockets are in for a brutally difficult second night of a back-to-back. They’re taking on a Charlotte Hornets squad that’s played about as well as any team in the Eastern Conference over the last several weeks.
Led by the likes of rookie Kon Knueppel and floor general LaMelo Ball, Charlotte has won games of late thanks to its lethal offensive attack. It’s in a tie with the Boston Celtics for having the top offensive rating in the league as of January 1 at 120.2. So, the Rockets are going to need nothing short of an excellent team-wide defensive effort on Thursday night to come away with a win.
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Records, standing, and streaks
Feb 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
At present, the Rockets have a 31-18 record, which puts them in the Western Conference standings’ fourth-place slot.
The Hornets are the owners of a 23-28 record and seven-game winning streak, good enough for 11th in the Eastern Conference.
What happened in the last game for each team?
Jan 31, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Reed Sheppard (15) look on during a play during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston lost to the Boston Celtics (114-93) at home.
Charlotte beat the New Orleans Pelicans (102-95) at home.
Injuries
Jan 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) is helped off the court after an injury against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
For Charlotte, KJ Simpson (left hip flexor strain) is out and Tidjane Salaun (illness) is questionable.
For Houston, Fred VanVleet (ACL repair) is out, Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) is out, Jae’Sean Tate (left wrist contusion) is out and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) is questionable.
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Probable starting lineups – Houston
Feb 2, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (23) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Probable starting lineups – Charlotte
Dec 21, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka looks on during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:
TV Channel: Space City Home Network
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets vs. Hornets preview: Stream, lineups, injury reports and more