The Houston Rockets head to Charlotte to face the Hornets in a cross-conference matchup on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The Rockets, sitting fourth in the Western Conference, look to build on their strong road form despite key injuries, while the Hornets, ninth in the Eastern Conference, aim to extend their recent hot streak at home. This game pits Houston’s defensive prowess against Charlotte’s surging offense led by LaMelo Ball.
Venue Location
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, North Carolina
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: SCHN and FDSSE
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with significant absences, particularly the Rockets, who are without their starting point guard and a key center for the season. Charlotte’s injuries and suspensions impact their frontcourt and guard depth.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Reason |
| Rockets | Fred VanVleet | G | Out | Right Knee; ACL Repair (season-ending) |
| Rockets | Steven Adams | C | Out | Left Ankle; Surgery (season-ending) |
| Rockets | Dorian Finney-Smith | F | Out | Left Ankle; Injury Management |
| Rockets | Alperen Sengun | C | Probable | Left Lower Leg; Contusion |
| Rockets | Tari Eason | F | Questionable | Left Lower Leg; Injury Management |
| Hornets | Miles Bridges | F | Out | League Suspension |
| Hornets | Moussa Diabate | F | Out | League Suspension |
| Hornets | Coby White | G | Out | Left Calf; Strain (out through All-Star break) |
| Hornets | Liam McNeeley | G | Out | Left Ankle; Sprain |
Houston’s backcourt is thin without VanVleet, forcing Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard into larger roles. Sengun’s probable status is a boost, but Eason’s potential absence could hurt their bench energy. For Charlotte, Bridges’ suspension weakens their scoring, while White’s calf issue limits guard options behind Ball. Expect increased minutes for Tre Mann and Grant Williams.
Key Player Matchups
This game features intriguing battles, especially in the frontcourt and at point guard, where injuries force adjustments.
- Alperen Sengun (Rockets) vs. Mason Plumlee/Ryan Kalkbrenner (Hornets): Sengun, averaging 19.8 PPG and 10.4 RPG this season, dominates inside but faces a size disadvantage if probable. Plumlee (projected starter) and Kalkbrenner provide physicality, but Sengun’s playmaking (5.2 APG) could exploit Charlotte’s 115.4 DRtg without Bridges. If Sengun sits, Clint Capela steps up, but Houston’s ORtg drops by 2.4 without him
- LaMelo Ball (Hornets) vs. Amen Thompson/Reed Sheppard (Rockets): Ball (23.7 PPG, 8.1 APG) is Charlotte’s engine, especially with White out. Thompson’s athleticism (elite defense, 1.8 SPG) could disrupt Ball, but Sheppard’s inexperience might be targeted. Houston’s DRtg improves to 111.4 with Thompson on the floor, but Ball’s speed could force turnovers.
- Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets) vs. Brandon Miller (Hornets): Smith (13.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG) vs. Miller (18.2 PPG), a wing duel of young talents. Miller’s recent hot streak (48.5% FG over 11 games
gives Charlotte an edge, but Smith’s defense (1.2 BPG) limits perimeter threats.
- Bench Impact: Rockets’ Tari Eason (if available) vs. Hornets’ Tre Mann. Eason boosts Houston’s NRtg by +1.4 while Mann fills White’s void with scoring off the dribble.
Recent Team Forms
The Rockets have been inconsistent lately, going 3-2 in their last five with a focus on road wins. Charlotte is surging, winning 9 of their last 10 and riding a hot streak into the All-Star break.
Houston Rockets Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Feb 11 | vs. Clippers | L | 105-102 |
| Feb 10 | vs. Clippers | W | 102-95 |
| Feb 7 | @ Thunder | W | 112-106 |
| Feb 5 | vs. Hornets | L | 109-99 |
| Feb 3 | vs. Celtics | L | 114-93 |
- Form: L-W-W-L-L
- Key Trend: Strong road defense (4 straight road wins prior to recent home split), but turnovers (18.4 per game) plague them without VanVleet
@RooshWilliams
. ORtg: 118.2 (top-10), but DRtg slips to 112.4.
Charlotte Hornets Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Feb 11 | vs. Hawks | W | 110-107 |
| Feb 9 | vs. Pistons | L | 110-104 |
| Feb 7 | @ Hawks | W | 126-119 |
| Feb 5 | @ Rockets | W | 109-99 |
| Feb 2 | vs. Pelicans | W | 102-95 |
- Form: W-L-W-W-W
- Key Trend: 9-1 in last 10, climbing from 10 games under .500. Elite recent offense (119.3 ORtg in streak), fueled by Ball and Miller. Home record: 15-13.
Series History
The Rockets hold a dominant all-time edge, but Charlotte has momentum in recent meetings.
- All-Time Record: Rockets 51-21 vs. Hornets
- Recent Head-to-Head: Charlotte won the last meeting on Feb. 5, 2026 (109-99 in Houston)
Before that, Rockets won Dec. 23, 2024 (114-101 in Charlotte). Hornets are 1-0 ATS in the last matchup
- Key Stat: In the last 10 meetings, Rockets are 6-4, but Hornets have covered the spread in 6 of 10.
Betting Trends
- Trends: Hornets 4-1 ATS in last 5 games; 18-11 ATS at home
actionnetwork.com
. Rockets 26-16 as favorites (61.9% win rate), but 2-3 ATS in last 5. Over has hit in 4 of Hornets’ last 6 home games. In H2H, under has cashed in 6 of last 10.
Game Odds
Houston Rockets – 2.5
Charlotte Hornets 215.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 18, 2026
