Feb. 5, 2026, 1:12 p.m. CT
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.
Records, standing, and streaks
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.
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Houston lost to the Boston Celtics (114-93) at home.
Charlotte beat the New Orleans Pelicans (102-95) at home.
Injuries
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.
Probable starting lineups – Houston
