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Rockets face center shortage vs. Bucks: Preview, Starters, Injuries, How to Watch

Previewing Wednesday night's game in Milwaukee

Apr 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson (1) dunks the ball during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Game date, time and location: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 8:10  p.m. ET, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

TV: Space City Home Network (Houston), WVTV-DT2 - MyMilwaukee24 (Milwaukee)

Radio: Sportstalk 790 AM (Houston), WTMJ (Milwaukee)

VITALS: Standing in the way of a 5-0 start for the Rockets is a Bucks team that just picked up their first win of the season and is looking for consecutive wins for the first time since just after last season’s All-Star break, Feb. 24-25.

Houston comes off an impressive 120-110 win over the Hawks at Toyota Center, wrapping up a home-and-home conquest with the reigning Southeast Division champs after winning in Atlanta on Saturday. Alperen Sengun (24.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 7.0 apg) continued a brilliant start with 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Kevin Durant (23.5 ppg) scored 22 points. 

Kevin Durant scored a team-high 22 points and matched Sheppard in finishing plus-19 in the victory, while Alperen Sengun followed up a 29-points, seven-assists night vs. San Antonio with 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Amen Thompson, who prevented a likely OT session in the Texas capital with a late-block of Victor Wembanyama, had 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in Atlanta to continue a fabulous start.

The Bucks will be the first team with a losing record that Houston has played since its opponents are a combined 6-2 in their other games. Tyler Herro (23.5 ppg) has led his new team in scoring in three of the first four, scoring 23 and adding 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 110-102 home win vs. Indiana. Kel’el Ware added 16 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, while Ryan Rollins added 19 points and four assists. After having a chance to win every game despite an 0-3 start, the Bucks trailed the Pacers to open the fourth and won the last 12 minutes 26-17 to secure their breakthrough.

The Rockets trail the Bucks in the regular season series 76-65 but swept last season’s meetings. Houston won 122-115 in Milwaukee on Nov. 9, 2025. In the most recent game on April 1, the Rockets held serve at home 119-113 behind 27 points from Reed Sheppard. Ousmane Dieng led the Bucks with 36 points and 10 assists.

PROJECTED STARTERS

ROCKETS

F Kevin Durant

F Tari Eason

F/C Jabari Smith

G Fred VanVleet

G Amen Thompson

BUCKS

F Jaime Jaquez Jr.

F Kyle Kuzma

C Myles Turner

G Ryan Rollins

G Tyler Herro

INJURY REPORT

ROCKETS

C Alperen Sengun, Out, Low Back Soreness

C Steven Adams: Out, Right Soleus Stain

G Marcus Smart: Questionable: Left Forearm Strain

F Julian Phillips: Out, G League - Two-way

G/F Quadir Copeland: Out, G League - Two-way

BUCKS

None

Betting Lines (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Spread: Rockets -8.5 (-110), Bucks +8.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Rockets -310, Bucks +250 

Total points scored: 227.5 (Over -115, Under -105)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. 

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

QUOTABLE

"He’s going to the basket much more comfortably now. I think he’s no longer settling for those teardrop floaters or hook shots from distance like he used to. There’s a nice energy in his steps. Right now, he really looks very fit and mobile. Thanks to his ball-handling ability, he can always create a mismatch advantage against bigs on the perimeter, but I think the fact that he’s also making his shot a bit better is opening up driving lanes for him to the basket." - Rockets HC Ime Udoka on Alperen Sengun

STORYLINES

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