Cam

Whitmore

Eason is managing a lower left leg injury so the 23-year-old small forward is going to sit out the second leg of the Rockets’ back-to-back Saturday. Jabari Smith, Cam Whitmore and Jae’Sean Tate could all see increased opportunities with Eason out.

Whitmore was excellent on Monday, matching his career-high with 27 points and recording his second double-double of the season. The Rockets were down four starters on Monday, so ample rotation minutes (and a place in the starting lineup) were available to Whitmore. Give him credit for taking advantage of the opportunity. Whitmore’s fantasy value moving forward will be impacted by the availability of Tari Eason and Amen Thompson, who both sat out Monday’s game.

Brooks will join Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet on the sideline, leaving Houston depleted across the roster. Jock Landale will start at center for Sengun, and Adams will be the first center off the bench. Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore will man backcourt duties for what could be a lopsided affair.

The Rockets are without Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason for Monday’s game. Sheppard, Whitmore, Smith and Landale move into the starting lineup, with Smith having a chance to stick once Brooks, Sengun, Thompson and Eason return. (VanVleet may miss multiple games with his ankle injury.) All four fill-ins are worth streaming on Monday due to the Rockets’ lack of healthy options.

Sengun and Thompson have been downgraded from questionable to out for Monday’s game. With four of the team’s usual starting five out, Jalen Green may approach 30 field goal attempts against the Thunder. Jabari Smith Jr. will return to the starting lineup, while Cam Whitmore and Aaron Holiday are among the players who suddenly have value in fantasy leagues.

Monday’s game is the first of two in as many nights for the Rockets, who visit the Pacers on Tuesday. For that reason, Eason’s absence is unsurprising. With Fred VanVleet (ankle) also out, Jabari Smith Jr. should be the Rocket who returns to the starting lineup. Cam Whitmore may also pick up rotation minutes off the bench, but he isn’t worth the streaming risk.

Brooks lands on the injury report with a right knee contusion, which he suffered during Saturday’s loss to the Kings. If he’s unable to play on Monday, Cam Whitmore or Jae’Sean Tate (who’s a superior defender to Whitmore) may enter the rotation. Neither would be worth streaming in most fantasy leagues.

Both Eason and Adams sat out the second leg of Houston’s back-to-back on Saturday, but they’ll be back to play Milwaukee. Eason’s return will take away minutes from Jeff Green and Cam Whitmore. With Fred VanVleet (ankle) and Dillon Brooks (illness) both questionable, there is a path for Eason to start. With Adams back, Jock Landale will be pushed back out of the rotation.

Whitmore missed Monday’s game against Boston, but he’ll be back in the lineup for this one. Tari Eason (leg) is sitting out the second night of this back-to-back, so there should be extra minutes for Whitmore.

Whitmore did not play in Monday’s win over Boston, with his absence freeing up rotation minutes for Aaron Holiday. With Tari Eason (leg) already ruled out, Holiday and Jae’Sean Tate will have added value if Whitmore misses a second straight game. However, neither would qualify as a must-stream.