Clint

Capela

Şengün is dealing with lower back pain, casting some doubt on his availability for Friday’s game. If he can’t play against the Pelicans, Clint Capela would be the next man up. A fantasy afterthought this season, Capela would be worth streaming because of the rebound and blocked shot potential.

In his return to Atlanta, Capela was able to have a solid night in 18 minutes off the bench. He hasn’t been great in his first season back in Houston, but with Steven Adams (ankle) set to miss the rest of the season, Capela will be the primary center option off the bench moving forward. That isn’t going to result in much value in standard leagues, but if Alperen Şengün ends up missing any time, Capela could hold value as a streamer.

Şengün was a game-time decision for Thursday’s game due to a sprained right ankle, but he’s good to go. He’ll take on his usual role as the starting center, with Clint Capela missing out on a potential increase to his playing time.

Eason played 25 minutes in Wednesday’s game against the Spurs, but the plan was always to sit him for the second leg of the back-to-back. With Dorian Finney-Smith also sitting out, there should be extra minutes for Clint Capela and maybe even Jae’Sean Tate.

Adams’ absence is a big blow to Houston’s rotation, as the big man has contributed strong defense and rebounding in 2025-26. Tari Eason should see a bump in playing time, while Clint Capela could pick up some extra minutes off the bench. The Rockets will likely roll with smaller lineups, and Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson will have more responsibility as rebounders.

Capela hasn’t been more than a depth piece down low for the Rockets this season, which hasn’t resulted in much production in the box score. However, with Steven Adams (ankle) out indefinitely, Capela has taken on more minutes and was able to contribute some boards and blocks in this game. He’ll be a solid reserve moving forward, but as long as Alperen Şengün is healthy, Capela won’t play enough to be worth rostering.

Adams left Sunday’s game against the Pelicans with an ankle injury and didn’t return. While X-rays were negative, Udoka told reporters Tuesday that Adams is dealing with a Grade 3 ankle sprain and he’s out indefinitely. With Adams sidelined, Tari Eason will move back into the starting lineup and Clint Capela could move into the rotation as the backup center.

Adams, who started alongside Alperen Şengün, needed help getting back to the locker room after rolling his left ankle during the fourth quarter. The good news is that X-rays were negative, so the veteran center is dealing with a sprain. However, Adams is likely going to miss some time, which should push Clint Capela (DNP-CD) into the rotation.

Şengün has missed the last three games with a sprained right ankle, but he could be back sooner than the 10-14 days timeline provided by head coach Ime Udoka on January 5. If Şengün returns, Steven Adams will likely head to the bench, and Clint Capela will fall out of the rotation.

He also said Şengün will be re-evaluated at the end of this week. If he misses 10-14 days, he’ll miss at least five more games and could miss as many as eight. Steven Adams will start in his place, with Clint Capela filling out the backup center minutes until then.