Rumors

Law Murray: I don’t think people understand how much James would have already been back to Houston if Houston hired anyone other than Ime in 2023. The opt out bag was right there… until it wasn’t. One of the steps that led to a summer where Morey got called a liar

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Varun Shankar: Udoka: Durant stepped on fans foot, tweaked ankle. Swelled and got sore the next game. Hopes it’s just one game absence. Reed starting in absence.

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Varun Shankar: Alperen Şengün will test his ankle tonight before deciding on if he plays, per Udoka. Right ankle sprain for the big man

Twitter

Varun Shankar: Udoka says Tari Eason is close to getting off minutes restriction. Expect a longer runway for DFS as he tries to get his rhythm back. Udoka compared that situation to how they handled Steven Adams' recovery last season (Adams averaged <15mpg in each month until March).

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Varun Shankar: Steven Adams has a severe ankle sprain, grade 3, per Udoka. Out indefinitely.

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VanVleet also used the same platform to praise Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, drawing a direct line to his coaching roots under Gregg Popovich, Basketball Network reports. “He gets credit for the stern face and holding guys accountable,” VanVleet said. “But I really just call him the black Pop. He came up under Pop.”

Heavy.com

Center Steven Adams suffered a sprained ankle during the Houston Rockets' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, Jan. 18. Adams was unable to find a good landing upon a block attempt and fell to the ground holding his leg with 9:50 left in the fourth quarter. He went back to the locker room and did not return to the game. Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters after the 119-110 victory that Adams has an ankle sprain. While he was said to have had quite a bit of swelling, the center did not suffer a broken bone.

USA Today

Steven Adams Stats: “Nothing broken. Not a high ankle sprain” Best possible postgame update on Steven Adams’ ankle injury from Ime Udoka

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Houston, meanwhile, wanted Brooks to influence its young core. The Rockets banked that Brooks' toughness and work ethic would set the tone, alongside fellow free agent acquisition Fred VanVleet and recently hired head coach Ime Udoka, as the franchise's rebuild entered what owner Tilman Fertitta termed as "Phase II." After dwelling in or near the West cellar the previous three years, the Rockets made a leap to 41-41 in 2023-24 and 52-30 last season. Brooks embraced his role as a mentor and defensive menace, accepting that he was usually the fifth offensive option in Houston's starting lineup. "He helped change the culture over here," said Rockets guard Amen Thompson, a rising star who was a rookie when Brooks arrived in Houston. "I feel like Houston loves him. They embrace him and that's my guy. That's like a big brother to me."

ESPN

Rather than viewing Adams as an aging veteran, Udoka understood his value to the team was greater than what he could do on the court. His presence in the locker room was pivotal, and as he got healthier, having a high-IQ player with so much experience was invaluable. “He’s really good in his own way. He does it a little bit differently with his leadership style,” Udoka said. “He says it in his own way. It’s probably a cultural thing. He’s very direct and blunt. You love to have that from some of your veteran players. His leadership style is different, but it’s very valuable to the group.”

New York Times

Marc Stein: Alperen Şengün is likely to be sidelined for the next 10 to 14 days, per Rockets coach Ime Udoka, after the ankle twist Şengün sustained Saturday night in Dallas.

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Tari Eason attacks the boards on both ends, which feeds into Houston’s identity as a big, tough team that bullies people in the paint. “He’s very unique and he impacts the game even if you don’t call plays for him all the time,” Udoka said. “We’re starting to add him to more things, whether he’s a (ball) handler or a screener. He’s going crash the glass at a high level, like a lot of our guys. He’s shooting the ball extremely well, so the spacing is going to be good with him.”

New York Times

Will Guillory: Ime Udoka says he doesn't believe the injury Alperen Şengün is dealing with is a serious one. Says the team is just trying to manage some sourness he experienced after the Lakers game on Christmas. Şengün is missing his second straight game tonight with a left soleus strain.

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Michael Shapiro: That was a fun postgame press conference with Tari Eason. Said he was happy “Ime finally trusted me,” with a start in his hometown. Does Eason want to be a full-time starter? “Yes. Yes I do.” Why? Our full chat with Tari ⬇️

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