The Rockets play away to the Pelicans! The injury list is released: 1 starter and 2 substitutes are absent, Uduka is out of the lineup.

Next, the Rockets ushered in a new preseason game. The Rockets' next game will be against the Pelicans at 8 am on October 15th. The Pelicans easily defeated Melbourne United in the previous preseason game, and the Rockets will be another strong opponent. In terms of strength, it will definitely be difficult for the Pelicans to defeat the Houston Rockets.

However, the Rockets are also playing with a remnant. As we all know, the Rockets' main point guard veteran VanVleet was injured in the training camp two weeks ago and was reimbursed for the season. He has successfully undergone surgery and is currently recovering, but it will take at least a year before he can officially return to play. By then, the Rockets' new season games have already ended, so VanVleet can only wait until next season to play for the Rockets.

Although he signed a two-year, 50 million contract with the Rockets this summer, VanVleet's situation is indeed a huge regret for the Rockets, because he cannot play this season, which makes the Rockets stretched in terms of lineup. However, the Rockets also have countermeasures. Amen Thompson, Sheppard, Holiday, and two-way contract player Davidson can all take turns as point guards. Shen Jing also showed genius passing ability in two preseason games, averaging 9.5 assists per game in the two games, making Shen Jing the Rockets' best passer and organizer.

In this game against the Pelicans, the Rockets should send all available players on the field. For example, veteran Adams, who had taken a break before, will also return in this game.

However, the Rockets still have three players who cannot play due to injuries, and the Rockets' injury list has also been released: In addition to veteran VanVleet who is out for the season, the Rockets' other 29-year-old forward Ja'Shawn Tate also suffered an ankle injury and will not play in the next game. In the last game between the Rockets and the Hawks, Tate will still not play.

Although Tate himself said that he feels much better from his injury and may return in the first game of the regular season against the Thunder, Tate will definitely miss the preseason game against the Pelicans. The 32-year-old Rockets new player Dorian Finney-Smith cannot play in this game, and he may not even play in the first few games of the regular season. Since the ankle surgery has not fully recovered, the Rockets did not let Dorian Finney-Smith participate in any preseason games for safety reasons. Even in the training camp, Finney-Smith could only conduct some simple shooting training and was unable to participate in the team's confrontation. This is also a big regret.

Although the Rockets' starter VanVleet and two substitutes Finney Smith and Tate are unable to play, the Rockets' overall strength is still quite strong. The players introduced by Rockets general manager Rafael Stone during the offseason have indeed been of great help in improving the depth of the lineup. The Rockets' Capela and Okogie, as well as two-way contract guards Harris and Davidson, can all serve as substitutes. Even if the Rockets have three players missing, their overall strength is far better than that of the Pelicans.

As long as Durant, Shen Jing and Amen Thompson can perform normally, it shouldn't be a problem for the Rockets to beat the Pelicans away from home. In the next two games, the Rockets will not go through the motions. Uduka has already said that the main players will be given more playing time to adjust to the starting lineup. There may also be some adjustments and new attempts in the rotation of the remaining players. But in short, no matter how Uduka adjusts the lineup, their overall strength should be relatively easy to defeat the Pelicans.