Image Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report and Predicted Starting Lineups- Latest Updates on Alperen Sengun, Max Strus and Others

Who's in and who's out for Rockets vs Cavaliers on Saturday?

Image Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

The Houston Rockets will welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers for an NBA 2025-26 regular-season clash on Saturday, December 27. This will be the second time that we get to see these teams locking horns with each other in the current NBA season. In their previous meeting, the Rockets dominated their rivals and recorded a ten-point victory. On Saturday, they would aim to continue their dominance, while the Cavs would avenge their previous defeat and level the tally.

The hosts are heading into the game on the back of a blowout victory over the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers. The win not only snapped their two-game losing streak, but also improved their win-loss record to 18-10. On the other hand, we have the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are coming off a narrow loss to the New York Knicks. The defeat brought their two-game winning streak to an end and dropped their win-loss record to 17-15.

Both teams have been playing decent basketball and are in playoff contention. As they are set to lock horns on Saturday, let’s have a look at their injury reports as well as expected starting lineups.

Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report

Given below is a complete breakdown of injury reports as well as predicted starting lineups for the Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers, scheduled on Saturday.

Houston Rockets’ Injuries

Player	Position	Injury	Status
Alperen Sengun	C	Calf	Questionable
Fred VanVleet	PG	Knee	Out

Alperen Sengun has been listed as questionable with a calf injury.

Fred VanVleet is out with an ACL tear in his right knee. He is likely to miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season.

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Injuries

Player	Position	Injury	Status
Larry Nance Jr.	PF	Calf	Out
Max Strus	SG	Foot	Out

Larry Nance Jr. injured his right calf last month, and was sidelined for almost a month.

Max Strus remains out without a returning timeline. He underwent foot surgery back in August.

Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predicted Starting Lineups

Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun*, Tari Eason, Amen Thompson

Cleveland Cavaliers: Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland

Cleveland Cavaliers

Houston Rockets

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.