Are the stars playing tonight, February 15th? Thunder vs Rockets injury report

Tonight serves up the final game for the OKC Thunder prior to the All-Star Break as they face the Houston Rockets.  It’s the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season and the third in just a little over two weeks.

Thunder won’t face full complement of Rockets starters – injury update

Despite playing the Rockets recently with neither Jalen Green or Kevin Porter Jr. in the lineup the OKC Thunder lost what should’ve theoretically been an easy win. That match resulted in a 106-112 loss.

Granted Luguentz Dort was also out but the recently hot trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams were all active.

Ironically, in the very next meeting with Rockets star Jalen Green was back in the starting rotation but the Thunder roasted Houston dropping over 150 points on them (153-121). Neither Porter Jr. nor Dort was available in that match either.

This brings us to this evening’s match. Yet again, the OKC Thunder will not face the typical Rockets starting lineup in the NBA tonight as Porter Jr. remains sidelined.

It’s the 17th consecutive game KPJ will miss as he deals with a left foot contusion. Houston’s starting point guard has played in 40 matches this year averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.

Everyone else on the Rockets roster is listed as healthy and capable of playing in this close-out game leading into the break per the updated NBA injury report.

What about the OKC Thunder injury report?

As for the OKC Thunder, it’s essentially a wash, rinse, and repeat scenario for those who won’t be dressed.

Chet Holmgren (right foot surgery) and Aleksej Pokusevski (left tibial plateau, non-displaced fracture) are the two players out indefinitely.

Joining this group are mostly players who have been shuttling between the varsity group and the G League OKC Blue team. That includes Ousmane Dieng, Tre Mann, and Aaron Wiggins who are all on assignment with the Blue as well as two-way player Olivier Sarr.

Following the game SGA, Giddey and JDub will be heading to Utah to participate in their respective events at NBA All-Star Weekend. From the Rockets side, four youngsters are headed to Salt Like City including the trio of  Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. who are playing in the Rising Stars game. In addition, Kenyon Martin Jr. is a dunk participant and Smith Jr., is part of the rookie team competing in the Skills Challenge.

Hitting a bit of a raw nerve for the OKC Thunder is the fact Isaiah Joe will not be participating in the 3-point competition despite leading the league in perimeter efficiency. There remains an outside chance given Anfernee Simons’ ankle injury he could be added. However, it’s more likely the NBA will tap someone who is already scheduled to be on-site.

OKC lost out on the opportunity to enter the break with a record above .500 with the loss to the Pelicans on Monday. However, they can draw even and set themselves up to return from the break with the mission of finally breaking through that barrier.