Injury updates: Jae’Sean Tate rejoins Rockets, Dorian Finney-Smith still out

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.”

“Dorian is a little bit behind and working his way back, but it’s good to see Jae’Sean out there, and hopefully he’s ready for opening night.”

The team has yet to disclose a projected timetable for Finney-Smith’s return, though he is doing some running drills and is a partial participant at practices.

Tate wasn’t cleared for contact work until after the preseason, so the hope is that Finney-Smith isn’t far behind. However, it won’t be in time for the regular season’s first week.

With Finney-Smith sidelined, Tari Eason and Josh Okogie would seem to be candidates for expanded roles in the interim.

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