The season’s on the line, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. After clawing their way back into the playoff picture, the Houston Rockets are now hanging by a thread. Game 5 against the Warriors could either keep their dreams alive, or slam the door shut! And in moments like these, every fan holds their breath for just one thing: are their stars ready to go?

Houston’s season may have been built on youth, but this stage is all about survival. Game 4 showed flashes of brilliance from their core, but those moments need to stretch across 48 minutes tonight. Every drive, every rebound, every closeout could be the difference between pushing the series to six or going home empty. And in the eye of that storm stand Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green; the duo that’s carried Houston all year. The only thing more important than their skill tonight? Their availability.

Well, the good news is finally here. According to ESPN’s latest injury report, both Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun are clear for action in Game 5. No setbacks. No game-time drama. Just two of Houston’s brightest stars ready to suit up and battle it out. Sengun, the Turkish center who’s made post moves an art form, has been averaging 19.1 points, 10.3 boards, and 4.9 assists; essential numbers for Udoka’s system. Meanwhile, Jalen Green continues to amaze, dropping 21 points a game with fearless energy and flair. Their presence gives the Rockets a shot. But it won’t be easy.

On the flip side, the Rockets will once again be without forward Jae’Sean Tate, who’s nursing a right ankle impingement. It’s a frustrating blow to Houston’s wing depth, especially against a team like Golden State that thrives on perimeter mismatches. His absence, paired with previous setbacks like Jock Landale’s knee issues, stretches the rotation thin. It’s a big night for the starters, and depth will be tested in every quarter.

What happens tonight could shape not just this series, but the Rockets’ identity moving forward. Game 5 isn’t just about clawing back from a 3–1 deficit. It’s about proving they belong on this stage. If Green and Sengun come out swinging and the team finds its groove early, the Rockets still have time to flip the script. It ain’t over till it’s over. And while everyone’s locked in on this series, there’s already some buzz about what comes next. Could someone like Devin Booker be the missing piece this team needs?

Is Devin Booker the Missing Piece in Houston’s Long-Term Puzzle?

It’s no secret that Houston had its shot at making a splash during free agency. But back then, Ime Udoka and the front office decided the timing wasn’t right. The roster needed time to develop. Fast-forward to now; the Rockets are the second seed, and yet they’re staring down elimination against a battle-hardened Warriors squad. Hindsight’s a cruel thing, and it’s making fans wonder: should they have chased a veteran star like Kevin Durant?

Austin Rivers doesn’t think so. Speaking on Off Guard, the former Rocket had a different idea. “They have a lot of young, talented players,” Rivers said. “People threw around Kevin Durant midseason… I’m going after Devin Booker. You got a long runway with that team.” And he might be onto something. Durant’s window is closing. Booker? He’s just hitting his prime.

With cap space, draft picks, and young stars like Jalen Green on the roster, the Rockets have the tools to chase a player like Booker. And he’d fit the bill. A high-volume scorer, proven playoff performer, and someone who wouldn’t take the ball out of Sengun’s hands. But there’s one catch. It all depends on whether Booker is ready to leave Phoenix, and whether Houston’s front office is ready to push their chips in.

So, before we jump to offseason moves and big trade ideas, let’s look at the immediate challenge. Here’s the predicted lineup for tonight’s must-win clash against the Warriors-

Regardless of where the franchise goes next, for now, all the future talk will have to wait. The Rockets still have a mountain to climb tonight. But if they survive, if they stretch this series to one more game, maybe that long runway Rivers talked about starts now.