The Houston Rockets head to Phoenix on Saturday looking to rebound from a home loss to Minnesota, but their frontcourt will again be short two centers. Steven Adams and Clint Capela are out against the Suns, putting the focus on Alperen Sengun and Houston’s work around the basket.
Houston enters at 7-2, including 3-1 on the road. Phoenix is 2-5 after snapping a four-game losing streak Thursday. Tip-off is 8 p.m. CT at Mortgage Matchup Center, with the Houston broadcast on Space City Home Network and SCHN+.
Rockets at Suns: Game Info
- Matchup: Houston Rockets (7-2) at Phoenix Suns (2-5).
- When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 8 p.m. CT.
- Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
- Houston TV and streaming: Space City Home Network / SCHN+.
The Rockets’ official schedule confirms the start time, venue and Houston broadcast. This is the teams’ first meeting of the season, according to ESPN’s matchup page.
Houston Looks to Reset After Minnesota
The Rockets last played Wednesday, falling 117-107 to the Timberwolves at Toyota Center. That followed wins over Boston, 109-93, and Oklahoma City, 119-98. Houston is 3-2 over its past five games after starting the season 5-0.
Sengun leads Houston in scoring, rebounding and assists through nine games, averaging 22.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists, per ESPN. His production gives the Rockets an offensive hub inside, while the absences of Adams and Capela leave fewer options at center behind him.
Houston has averaged 117.9 points and allowed 107.6 per game. Those early-season numbers describe a strong opening stretch, not a guarantee of how Saturday’s matchup will play out.
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Phoenix Comes Off a Needed Win
The Suns beat Orlando 117-104 on Thursday after losses to Oklahoma City, Denver, Golden State and Portland. Saturday is their third game in four nights; Houston has had two full days without a game since Wednesday.
Devin Booker leads Phoenix with 25.4 points and 5.1 assists per game. Miles Bridges leads the Suns in rebounding at 7.9 per game. Phoenix is averaging 113.9 points while allowing 121.4, according to ESPN’s pregame team statistics.
Latest Rockets–Suns Injury Report
Availability below comes from the NBA’s Nov. 7 injury report issued at 10 a.m. CT, the latest edition available on the official report hub when checked for this draft. These are pregame designations, not a final active roster. Reports can change before tip-off.
Houston Rockets
- Steven Adams: Out — right soleus strain.
- Clint Capela: Out — right ankle sprain.
- Quadir Copeland: Out — G League, two-way.
- Julian Phillips: Out — G League, two-way.
- Bruce Thornton: Out — G League assignment.
Phoenix Suns
- Mark Williams: Out — left shoulder surgery.
- Jordan Goodwin: Doubtful — right calf injury management.
- Rasheer Fleming: Questionable — left ankle sprain.
Houston’s G League listings are roster-availability designations, not injuries. Goodwin’s doubtful status and Fleming’s questionable status should not be treated as confirmed absences.
Matchups to Watch
- Sengun and the depleted center rotations: Houston is missing Adams and Capela, while Phoenix is without Williams. Interior scoring, fouls and the minutes when Sengun sits are central matchup questions.
- Finishing defensive possessions: Houston averages 43.8 rebounds to Phoenix’s 38.6. Those are raw per-game totals, not rebounding percentages, but second chances will be worth tracking with both teams short at center.
- Containing Booker: Phoenix’s leading scorer is also its assists leader. Houston’s perimeter defense faces the task of limiting both his shots and the opportunities he creates for teammates.
- Rest and execution: Houston has the longer break between games. Phoenix is playing at home, where it is 2-2, and comes in off a win. Neither circumstance decides the matchup on its own.
For more on Houston’s perimeter defense and offensive development, read our Amen Thompson feature.
What Comes Next
After Phoenix, Houston returns to Toyota Center to host Denver on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. CT, per the team schedule. Follow all of LFG Houston’s Rockets coverage.
Sources: Houston Rockets official schedule; ESPN game information, recent results and season statistics; NBA official injury report, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. CT. Statistics are through each team’s last completed game.
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