Rockets Face Shorthanded Thunder in Houston

The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Saturday in a Western Conference matchup at Toyota Center. Houston is coming off a 116-111 loss to Dallas on Friday, its first defeat this season. Oklahoma City also enters after a loss, falling 120-96 to Dallas on Wednesday.

Houston center Alperen Sengun is expected to return after missing two games with lower-back soreness. Kevin Durant is set to play both games of the Rockets’ back-to-back, while Fred VanVleet will sit for rest. Durant put up 28 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 22 during Friday’s defeat.

Several Thunder players are unavailable, including Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who sat out the fourth quarter against Dallas, is expected to be rested for the Houston game. Oklahoma City opened the season with wins over San Antonio, Denver, the Clippers and Phoenix before losing to Dallas.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said players taking on unfamiliar roles would benefit from the added experience, and that the team had areas to improve. Oklahoma City won two of three meetings with Houston last season, including a 111-91 victory at Toyota Center. Houston won the most recent matchup, 112-106, on February 7.