The second night of a back-to-back sets the stage for a tricky, high-stakes meeting in Atlanta. At 8:00 PM ET, the Houston Rockets visit the Hawks with both teams managing crucial injuries that could swing the matchup. The headliners on the final injury report: Houston’s Alperen Sengun with a right ankle sprain and Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson with left calf tightness. Both are listed as questionable on the official 03:15 PM ET NBA report.

There’s real intrigue here. The Rockets fell to San Antonio on Wednesday, and the Hawks are fresh off a gritty win over Boston where they held the Celtics to 106 points and 27% from three. Fatigue, depth, and the availability of two core playmakers will decide the tone of this game.

Final injury report: Sengun, Johnson questionable; Okongwu out

The late-afternoon update confirmed the main headlines. “Jalen Johnson is listed as questionable for the Hawks with left calf tightness, while Alperen Sengun is questionable for the Rockets with a right ankle sprain.” The Hawks also ruled out Onyeka Okongwu due to a dental fracture, tightening their frontcourt rotation. For Houston, there’s added concern: “Houston has listed Sengun as questionable due to an ankle injury and he is in danger of missing his first game since January 9.”

Put simply, both teams could be missing their most dynamic frontcourt hub. That’s a big swing in a game that is likely to be decided by who wins the glass, who protects the paint, and who creates the most clean looks when legs get heavy late.

“Back-to-back legs are about depth — tonight we find out who actually has it.”

Why Alperen Sengun’s status matters so much to Houston

Sengun isn’t just a scorer; he’s the connector for Houston’s offense. He’s averaging 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, plus 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks. The touches he commands at the elbow and low block help the Rockets’ wings and guards get rhythm shots. If he sits, Houston loses a steady half-court organizer and a reliable presence on the defensive glass.

When a team is light on wings, big-man playmaking becomes even more valuable. Sengun’s ability to read double teams and hit cutters is central to how the Rockets create movement and space. Without him, the ball can stick. That puts more pressure on guards to break down set defenses on tired legs — not an easy ask on a back-to-back, on the road.

“Sengun’s playmaking unlocks Houston — without him, who runs the half-court show?”

Why Jalen Johnson’s status is pivotal for Atlanta

Johnson has been a two-way engine for the Hawks. He’s posting 21.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, with 1.6 threes. His size and handling let Atlanta switch gears mid-possession, move the ball side-to-side, and attack mismatches. He’s also key to starting fast breaks after stops and making the extra pass that turns good shots into great ones.

Atlanta’s defensive edge against Boston tells you where the Hawks’ confidence is. Holding the Celtics to 106 and 27% from deep is no small feat. Johnson’s ability to contest, rebound, and push pace is a big part of that identity. If he can’t go, the frontcourt duties shift, and that’s where the absence of Onyeka Okongwu (out, dental fracture) tightens the screws even more.

“If Johnson sits, can Atlanta’s defense still clamp down like it did vs Boston?”

Rotation ripple effects: Who steps up?

For the Hawks, the math is simple: fewer frontcourt bodies means more minutes for the bigs available. With Okongwu out and Johnson questionable, expect more responsibility for the centers and hybrid bigs. Christian Koloko looms as a vital piece, especially for rim protection and vertical spacing. The Hawks may also need to lean into Clint Capela’s rebounding and screening to stabilize possessions and simplify the offense if Johnson cannot initiate as usual.

On the Houston side, being short on wings shifts emphasis to core creators and interior play. If Sengun sits, the Rockets will need to replace his passing and paint touches by committee. That could mean more drive-and-kick, more set actions to get shooters open early in the clock, and a greater focus on keeping the ball moving to avoid one-on-one heavy possessions. With both teams on tired legs, the group that trusts simple actions and protects the ball will gain a big edge.

Key battlegrounds: Glass, paint, and the three-point line

These teams enter the night on different back-to-back vibes — Atlanta buoyed by that defensive clinic against Boston, Houston looking to reset after losing in San Antonio. That split makes the early minutes crucial. Whoever controls the boards early often sets the tone on a second night. If the Hawks win the glass, they’ll get more transition chances and limit Houston’s second-chance points. If the Rockets own the paint, they can slow the game and wear down the Hawks’ shorthanded frontcourt.

From distance, Atlanta just forced Boston into a 27% night from three, and that mindset will carry over. Houston must keep the ball humming to earn clean catch-and-shoot looks. The more the Rockets can collapse the defense and kick, the more likely they avoid a cold, contested night from deep.

What the coaches will watch for

• Pace management: On a back-to-back, smart pace beats fast pace. Expect both sides to pick their spots rather than run nonstop.
• Foul discipline: Thin rotations magnify foul trouble. Early fouls on a key big could decide who controls the middle.
• Bench minutes: The second units may decide this. Clean, mistake-free shifts from role players can swing a tight game.

What the reports said

The message from team and league updates has been consistent all day. “Hawks injury report for tonight against Rockets: Jalen Johnson (left calf tightness) is questionable. Onyeka Okongwu (dental fracture) is out.” And from the Houston side: “Houston has listed Sengun as questionable due to an ankle injury and he is in danger of missing his first game since January 9.” The official NBA report at 03:15 PM ET underscored the same: Sengun questionable (right ankle; sprain), Johnson questionable (left calf; tightness).

Tip time, stakes, and the bottom line

Tip-off is set for 8:00 PM ET in Atlanta, with both clubs walking the tightrope of a back-to-back. The Hawks have momentum and a defensive template after smothering Boston. The Rockets need their rhythm back after the San Antonio loss — and Sengun is central to that rhythm. If he plays, Houston’s half-court flow improves. If Johnson plays, Atlanta’s transition and late-clock shot creation get a boost. If either sits, depth and discipline take center stage.

In the end, this one is about execution under stress. Win the glass. Protect the paint. Make the simple pass. The team that stays within itself while managing minutes and matchups should find the edge in crunch time.