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5h ago

Rockets Say Dorian Finney-Smith Likely Out for Opener After Ankle Surgery

Houston faces early rotation reshuffling following Fred VanVleet’s ACL tear.

Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith is recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
Sep 29, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (2) poses for a picture during Houston Rockets media day at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Coach Ime Udoka said Finney-Smith is limited to non-contact work and will probably not be ready for the Oct. 21 season opener.
  • The veteran wing underwent left-ankle surgery in June to address a two-year issue that he said he aggravated by playing through it.
  • Finney-Smith was signed to help a poor three-point attack after shooting a career-best 41.1% from deep last season.
  • VanVleet’s preseason ACL tear further thins perimeter shooting and ball handling, and the starting guard spot alongside Amen Thompson remains undecided.
  • Udoka pointed to early-season minutes for Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, with Jeff Green and Jae’Sean Tate in the mix, while monitoring Steven Adams’ and Eason’s back-to-back availability with no consecutive games until Dec. 5–6.