Steven

Adams

Adams moved into the starting lineup with Dillon Brooks out after receiving a 16th technical foul this year. The 31-year-old center only played 23 minutes despite getting the start. Adams still had a solid game with eight points and 12 rebounds against his former team. He’s not much of a source of fantasy value at this point in his career.

The Rockets are without Dillon Brooks, who picked up his 16th technical foul of the season in Wednesday’s win over the Jazz. Adams will fill his spot in the starting lineup as the Rockets match up with Oklahoma City’s tandem of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Even with Adams receiving the starting nod, Tari Eason should play plenty off the bench.

Adams logged 12 minutes on Sunday and will be available to play in both legs of a back-to-back since early February. However, with Alperen Sengun healthy, Adams likely won’t see enough minutes to provide standard league value. Still, it’s a good step in his progression, since he has been dealing with ankle injuries all season.

After sitting out Thursday’s win over the Jazz, Adams played 12 minutes off the bench in Sunday’s win over the Suns. The veteran center has not played both ends of a back-to-back since February 3-4, but the importance of Monday’s matchup likely factors into Udoka saying that Adams will play. Houston and the Lakers are two of the teams fighting for the two-seed in the West, with the Rockets leading third-place Denver by two games in the loss column and the Lakers by three.

Adams is back after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Jazz. He’ll handle the backup center responsibilities, while Jock Landale will likely fall out of the rotation. There’s no need to roster Landale, who may re-enter the rotation for Monday’s game against the Lakers.

With Adams sidelined, Jock Landale will fill out the backup center minutes behind Alperen Sengun. That won’t result in Landale playing enough minutes to warrant a stream in any format.

Amen Thompson is in danger of missing a second-straight game with an ankle injury and could be replaced by Tari Eason in the starting unit again if ruled out. Jock Landale could step in as Alperen Sengun’s primary backup if Adams is ruled out.

Adams’ playing time has increased recently, with the veteran center logging 21 minutes or more in four of his last five appearances. However, Sunday’s game was the first in which his production was impactful. Adams recorded his third double-double of the season, and the three blocked shots matched his season-high. However, one night does not make Adams a player worth adding, especially with the Rockets only playing three games during Week 21.

Adams and Suns center Mason Plumlee got into a wrestling match during the second quarter of Wednesday’s game. While no punches were thrown, game officials ejected both players. Adams’ early exit likely means Jabari Smith Jr. will spend time at the center position when Alperen Sengun rests. Adams finished with one point, four rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes.

Adams absolutely dominated down low in the 23 minutes that he was on the floor. He entered halftime with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and while he only added six more boards after halftime, it was enough to be one of Adams’ best games of the season. This was Adams’ second double-double of the season and was also a new season-high for rebounds. Adams hasn’t provided much value in fantasy basketball throughout the season, but he is still capable of controlling the glass when needed.