Outpoll | Ime Udoka: Rockets likely to rest key players in Thursday’s preseason finale at Atlanta

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Ime Udoka: Rockets likely to rest key players in Thursday’s preseason finale at Atlanta

Ime Udoka: Rockets likely to rest key players in Thursday’s preseason finale at Atlanta

1 day ago7 min read5 comments

In a move that will surprise exactly zero hardcore NBA fans who understand the long game of an 82-game marathon, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka is reportedly leaning toward parking his luxury vehicles in the garage for the team's final preseason tune-up in Atlanta this Thursday. Following Tuesday's exhibition W over the Pelicans, Udoka hinted to the Houston Chronicle's Danielle Lerner that the likes of Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, along with a handful of other rotation mainstays, are likely to rock street clothes on the bench.Let's be real, folks—this isn't some shocking, Woj-bomb level newsflash. This is veteran coach chess, not checkers.The Rockets are rolling into this one with a pristine 3-0 preseason record, which already includes a victory against these very Hawks last week in Houston. So, what's the point of running your stars into the ground for a glorified scrimmage that doesn't count? The real season is a beast, and it's lurking right around the corner.The opening night tip-off is a monster showdown next Tuesday, October 21st, deep in the heart of Oklahoma City. And it's not just any opener; it's a ring night for the Thunder, who will be basking in the glow of their 2025 NBA Finals victory and receiving those coveted championship jewels.The atmosphere in that building is going to be absolutely electric, borderline hostile for any visiting team. Sending your key guys out there on tired legs, just five days before that kind of emotional and physical war, would be borderline coaching malpractice.Why risk a tweaked ankle or a strained hamstring for a game with zero stakes? It’s all about managing the asset portfolio, and right now, the health of Durant, Sengun, and the crew is the most valuable stock the Rockets own. Think about the mileage already on the odometer.The entire confirmed eight-man rotation—KD, Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. , Steven Adams, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, and Clint Capela—has seen the floor in multiple preseason contests.They've had their runs, they've shaken off the summer rust, and they've built a little chemistry. On top of that, Udoka has been putting them through the wringer with intense, in-house scrimmages during training camp.Their bodies have gotten the message; the plays have been rehearsed. Now, it's time for a strategic pause.This finale also happens to be the second game in a tight three-night window, a classic preseason scheduling quirk that coaches loathe. Pushing the pace now would be like doing wind sprints right before the actual marathon starts.The smart play is to hit the brakes, let the ice baths and recovery protocols work their magic, and then ramp everything back up for the real grind that begins with the 2025-26 regular season schedule. And for those worrying about early-season rhythm, take a look at the calendar.Houston's first three official games each have multiple days of rest built in beforehand. The team won't even face a brutal back-to-back or a two-games-in-three-nights scenario until the season's second week, with games on October 27th and 29th.This rest decision isn't a sign of weakness or a lack of competitive fire; it's a calculated, forward-thinking maneuver from a coaching staff that knows the NBA season is a war of attrition. It's about peaking at the right time, not in October. So, while the Atlanta finale might feature a heavy dose of the end-of-bench crew and two-way contract guys fighting for their basketball lives, the main event is safely on ice, being preserved for the bright lights and high stakes of OKC.