Neither Jae’Sean Tate nor Dorian Finney-Smith played in the 2025-26 preseason for the Rockets, with both Houston forwards sidelined due to offseason ankle surgeries.
While neither issue is considered a long-term concern, Tate is slightly ahead of Finney-Smith in his recovery, and the hope is that Tate could be available when Houston’s regular-schedule begins at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
“Jae’Sean did all the contact stuff today,” head coach Ime Udoka told ClutchFans after Saturday’s team practice in Houston. “It was good to see him out there playing. He was a little winded, but he’ll get his legs back, eventually.