Eason finished Saturday's 127-121 overtime loss to the Warriors with 27 points (11-19 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, four steals, three blocks and one assist across 35 minutes.
Eason paced the Rockets offensively, and his 27-point showing was his best mark of the young season. He also fell just one rebound shy of a double-double and swatted away three shots, showing fantasy managers that he can produce across the board when given extended run. Though Eason received some extra run after he was a key figure in helping the Rockets overcome a 31-point deficit to send the game to overtime, it's unclear if the big outing with earn him more minutes moving forward. Eason had been averaging 17.6 minutes per game over his five appearances prior to Saturday. The huge performance came after the Rockets exercised Eason's $5.68 million fourth-year team option for 2025-26 on Wednesday, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Available to play Saturday
Rotowire
Eason (lower leg) is available for Saturday's game against the Spurs, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Eason was tabbed as a game-time call for this matchup, but he's received the green light and will be available off the bench. The third-year forward has played 13 and 16 minutes off the bench in his first two appearances this season.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Iffy for Saturday
Rotowire
Eason is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Spurs due to left lower leg injury management.
Eason underwent surgery in March to treat a benign growth on his left lower leg. While the 23-year-old forward has played in both of Houston's games so far this season, the team could opt to play it cautiously on the second night of a back-to-back.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Underwhelming performance
Rotowire
Eason ended Wednesday's 110-105 loss to the Hornets with two points (1-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists and two steals across 13 minutes.
Eason was quiet in the loss, a worrying sign for anyone who took a chance on him in drafts. On a roster laden with upside, Eason simply doesn't have a clear path to minutes. Despite a fantasy-friendly game, he is not someone who needs to be rostered in all spots.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Back to action Thursday
Rotowire
Eason (rest) will play in Thursday's preseason finale against San Antonio, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Eason will join a fully healthy roster Thursday, except for Jock Landale (rest). Even with the entirety of Houston's cast of forwards set to suit up, Eason is among the more likely candidates for extended run.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Will not play Tuesday
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Eason (rest) will not play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Pelicans, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.
According to coach Ime Udoka, this is a planned maintenance day for Eason. The forward will instead play Thursday against the Spurs in another exhibition.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Returning to action Wednesday
Rotowire
Eason (rest/leg) is set to play in Houston's preseason contest versus the Thunder on Wednesday.
Eason, who rested during Monday's preseason opener, will participate in his first game action since Jan. 1 after undergoing surgery in March to treat a benign growth in his lower leg. The 23-year-old averaged 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.8 steals in 23.9 minutes per game across his last 15 regular-season contests.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Works out ahead of training camp
Rotowire
Eason (lower back) worked out with several Rockets teammates before Houston's Media Day on Tuesday, Michael Shapiro of SI.com reports.
Eason underwent surgery in March to treat a benign growth in his lower leg, but as expected, he's back to full strength ahead of training camp. The 2022 No. 17 overall pick averaged 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks in 21.8 minutes per game last season. However, the Rockets also have Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore as ascending frontcourt options, limiting Eason's fantasy ceiling in Year 3.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Undergoes successful surgery
Rotowire
The Rockets announced Tuesday that Eason underwent successful surgery to treat a benign growth in his lower leg. He's expected to make a full recovery in approximately four months.
As expected, Eason will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery, but he should be back to full strength this summer and will likely be available for training camp in the fall. The No. 17 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft finishes his second season in the NBA with averages of 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks in 21.8 minutes per game, numbers that are nearly identical to his averages as a rookie. Eason is a promising young player, but the Rockets also have Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore as ascending frontcourt options, which puts a ceiling on Eason's fantasy value heading into 2024-25.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Out through All-Star break
Rotowire
Eason (lower leg) will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break, Ben DuBose of USA Today reports.
DuBose notes that Eason is still experiencing "lingering pain," so the team will hold off on evaluating him further until after the break. The LSU product hasn't seen action since Jan. 1 due to a lower left leg injury.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Remains sidelined
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Eason (lower leg) is out for Monday's game against the Knicks.
Eason will miss a 22nd straight game due to a lower leg injury. His next opportunity to suit up will come Wednesday against the Grizzlies.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Ruled out Tuesday
Rotowire
Eason (lower leg) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Indiana.
Tuesday will mark Eason's 19th game missed due to injury, but his recent participation in basketball activities is an encouraging sign he may return soon. Jae'Sean Tate and Jeff Green will continue to see extended playing time until Eason returns.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Could return next week
Rotowire
Coach Ime Udoka said Thursday that Eason (lower leg) has started to ramp up his activity level and could rejoin the Rockets next week, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.
Eason has started playing 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 during practices and appears to be trending toward a return to game action. He'll likely remain sidelined Friday against Toronto and Sunday against the Timberwolves but could be in the mix to return as early as Tuesday against Indiana. Once he's cleared to return, it wouldn't be surprising to see Eason face a minutes restriction during his first few games back.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Absence to continue Wednesday
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Eason (leg) is out for Wednesday's game against New Orleans.
Eason could ramp up his activity at practice this week, but he will remain sidelined Wednesday and has not taken the court since Jan. 1. Cam Whitmore has thrived with increased usage, averaging 16.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in 22.5 minutes across his last six games.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Ruled out for Monday
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Eason (lower leg) is listed as out for Monday's game against the Lakers.
Eason will be sidelined Monday for a 15th straight game due to left lower leg injury management, but his return could be forthcoming. According to Ben DuBose of USA Today, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said Wednesday that Eason is scheduled to advance to contact practices this week. If Eason is able to practice Tuesday without any restrictions, he could be available to play as soon as Wednesday versus the Pelicans.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Still out
Rotowire
Eason (lower leg) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Nets.
Eason will miss his 14th straight game Saturday due to a lower leg injury. His next chance to play is Monday's matchup with the Lakers.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Won't play Friday
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Eason (lower leg) is out for Friday's game versus the Hornets.
Eason's absence streak will extend to 13 games Friday due to left lower leg injury management. Eason's next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Brooklyn.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Puts in partial practice
Rotowire
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said Eason (lower leg) was a partial participant in Tuesday's practice, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.
While Eason still seems likely to miss a 12th straight game Wednesday versus the Trail Blazers due to left lower leg injury management, the second-year forward's ability to practice in some fashion offers hope that he's closing in on a return to game action. Even if Eason remains out Wednesday, he'll have a good chance at suiting up Friday in Charlotte if he's able to put in a full practice Thursday. Eason's eventual return will likely leave fewer minutes available at forward for Cam Whitmore and Jae'Sean Tate.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Coach Ime Udoka said Friday that Eason (lower leg) won't play Saturday against the Jazz, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Eason will miss a 10th straight game Saturday and can be considered doubtful for Sunday's matchup against the Celtics, barring a change. On Jan. 10, Udoka said Eason would miss a week or two, so the Rockets should release another formal update following their upcoming back-to-back set.
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Rockets' Tari Eason: Officially ruled out
Rotowire
Eason (leg) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Nets.
Eason has been downgraded from questionable to out Wednesday due to left lower leg soreness. Jae'Sean Tate and Amen Thompson will likely receive increased playing time in his absence. Eason's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Minnesota.
