Rockets' preseason plan: Ethan Adams to play first game, rest for second; Durant available for all games

On October 6 Beijing time, Rockets head coach Udoka announced the team’s preseason participation plan, detailed as follows —

Udoka said that forward Ethan and center Adams will take part in the preseason opener against the Hawks on the 7th (Beijing time), but will miss the game against the Jazz on the 9th. This decision is made out of caution since both Ethan and Adams were recovering from long-term injuries last season. Wing player Finnie Smith will not participate in any preseason games as he continues to recover from ankle surgery during the offseason. Additionally, the rest of the roster, including Durant, will be available for all preseason matches.

The starting five in the preseason opener may not be the same lineup the Rockets use in the regular season. The Rockets have confirmed four starters: Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Sengun. Udoka mentioned that throughout the preseason, the team will rotate different players into the fifth starting spot.

The Rockets plan to use a more game-like lineup and rotation in their final two preseason games: October 15 on the road against the Pelicans and October 17 on the road against the Hawks. These two games will serve as a "dress rehearsal" for the regular season.

This preseason will also give the Rockets an opportunity to evaluate the adjustments made since point guard VanVleet’s ACL injury. Udoka said he will focus on observing the chemistry developing between specific players and how well the team executes new tactics.

“Clearly, with roster changes, personnel shifts, and Fred’s absence due to injury, we have some new starters who will be playing together for the first time in official games,” Udoka said. “They’ve performed well in practice, and we’ve tested various lineups and rotations during training, but seeing how they perform in real games against other teams will be much more insightful.”