Dillon

Brooks

Brooks is unavailable for rest reasons, leaving Jalen Green as the lone Rockets starter who will play on Wednesday. Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore are well-positioned to benefit from Brooks’ absence, with the former possessing a much higher fantasy ceiling.

Brooks was back on the court after serving a one-game suspension on Friday, and he significantly contributed to the Rockets’ victory on Sunday. He’s scored 21 points or more in two straight games, and his 24 on Sunday were the most he’s had in a game since March 17. Jabari Smith Jr.'s playing time took a hit with Brooks back in the lineup, but he still contributed 16 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two three-pointers in 27 minutes off the bench. Smith remains the superior fantasy option, but Brooks can have the occasional night when he can provide unexpected value.

Smith has been cleared to play after the Rockets initially listed him as questionable. He’ll come off the bench again, and Smith’s value takes a slight hit with Dillon Brooks returning from a one-game suspension. Smith should still be rostered in most leagues.

Smith played 34 minutes in Friday’s win over the Thunder, grabbing 17 rebounds off the bench. However, his playing time was boosted somewhat by the absence of Dillon Brooks, who was serving a one-game suspension. With Brooks available, Smith’s playing time will likely decrease on Sunday if his ankle does not keep him out.

Brooks was whistled for a technical foul with 7:12 remaining in the first quarter when he kicked Collin Sexton in the stomach after being stripped of the basketball. That was his 16th of the season, which triggers an automatic one-game suspension, unless the league overturns the call. While this wasn’t Bruce Lee vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in “Game of Death,” it’s doubtful Brooks receives the benefit of the doubt. Managers shouldn’t expect to see him on the court on Friday when the Rockets host the Thunder. That could keep Tari Eason in the starting lineup, even if Fred VanVleet returns from his ankle injury.

Brooks got into an altercation with Kevin Durant, and both players were issued technical fouls with 4:48 remaining in the second quarter. However, Brooks would receive a second technical foul for arguing with an official, resulting in an early trip to the showers. He played 11 minutes, finishing with eight points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, one block and two three-pointers. Jabari Smith Jr. replaced Brooks in the lineup to begin the third quarter.

For the second time in four games, Brooks has made five three-pointers. However, while he has averaged 2.8 three-pointers per game over the past two weeks, the Rockets guard has only provided 12th-round value in eight-cat formats. Brooks does not offer much value as a rebounder, and his defensive stats have also been limited. That makes him a difficult player to trust in most fantasy leagues, even on nights like Sunday.

Prior to fouling out, Brooks was able to pour in the points. This was the second time during this winning streak that Brooks has scored at least 25 points in a game. He isn’t typically a strong option in category formats, but when he is able to score at this rate, he can make an impact. Still, managers can’t trust him to score like this consistently. This was a great performance for Brooks, but he should only be rostered in deeper formats.

Brooks is knocking down 2.4 triples per game at a 38.7% clip this season, both career highs. The seven triples are his second-most of the campaign, and Brooks has hit at least five three-pointers in seven games in the 2024-25 campaign.

Thompson, Brooks and Sengun are back after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Thunder. Their returns mean that Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore and Jock Landale will head to the bench. None of those three are worth holding onto, with the Rockets close to full strength.