Key Takeaways

• Houston listed Reed Sheppard as questionable with a left knee contusion and bone bruise ahead of the 8:30 p.m. ET game in Atlanta; he missed Friday’s win due to the knee injury and his status remains undecided.
• Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet will sit out for injury management after Friday’s 114-110 victory over the Spurs; Adams is out for left ankle injury management, while VanVleet will rest his right knee.
• In Friday’s season-opening win over Dallas, Sheppard posted 3 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 16 minutes, and VanVleet had 14 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals on 4-for-10 shooting.
• Through two games since returning from an ACL tear, VanVleet has 16 assists with no turnovers, underscoring his role as a stabilizing playmaker when healthy.
• Houston’s young core carried the team Friday, with Alperen Sengun recording 29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, and Amen Thompson contributing 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, including a late game defensive block on Victor Wembanyama.
• Atlanta’s injury slate includes RayJ Dennis, Keshon Gilbert and Jalen Wilson as questionable due to two-way G League assignments; Mouhamed Gueye remains out with a left foot fracture, and Henri Veesaar is sidelined with a torn right ACL.
• The Hawks’ prior game was a historic 128-81 road victory over the Hornets, the franchise’s largest margin of victory; Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 19 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds, while Aaron Wiggins added 19 points off the bench.