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Varun Shankar

@byvarunshankar

Covering the Rockets for The Houston Chronicle. Retweets aren’t endorsements and don’t represent views of employer. He/him Find my work: linktr.ee/byvarunshankar

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Latest posts by Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar

Preview
'We still here.' Draymond Green relishes taking over Toyota Center The Rockets have certainly changed over the years, but Draymond Green and the Warriors still savor their wins in Houston.

www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

06.03.2026 05:57 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

Draymond Green lounged in front of his locker, ice bags draped on his knee and elbow, and a semicircle of reporters hanging on his words.

The Toyota Center’s visitor locker room was home to a conqueror.

Link 👇🏾

06.03.2026 05:55 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Rockets get a boost from Reed Sheppard but it's not enough in loss to Warriors Reed Sheppard leads Rockets with 30 points but it's not enough against short-handed Golden State Warriors

www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

06.03.2026 03:38 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Observations from tonight's #Rockets loss:
- What happened with Reed Sheppard's minutes
- Jabari struggles in return

06.03.2026 03:38 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Oof, think that is a missed boxout by Sheppard leading to the Melton OREB + putback

06.03.2026 03:16 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Durant was pissed at Jabari after that layup by Podz, seems like he was expecting a switch and Jabari stayed home (I would also expect HOU to switch that combo)

06.03.2026 03:12 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 1

Sheppard, Amen, Bari, KD, Şengün the first five for Houston in OT

06.03.2026 03:06 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Worth noting, Sheppard was on the floor for that last shot attempt

06.03.2026 03:04 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Wonder if the Rockets go O for D late in this game with Eason and Sheppard

06.03.2026 02:51 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

It looks like Reed is going to close. Amen just re-entered the game but took out Eason.

06.03.2026 02:48 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Great close to the third quarter for the Houston Rockets, who lead the Warriors 82-81 entering the fourth.

15-4 run for Houston across the last 3:47 of the frame.

Amen Thompson has 17 points to lead all scorers. Podz with 15 for the Dubs

06.03.2026 02:22 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Reed is cooking man, 15 points on 7/10 shooting. Rockets have won his minutes by three, trail 77-69 to the Warriors with 3:32 left in the third.

This is shaping up to be a game where Sheppard should close.

06.03.2026 02:15 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Hakeem is here!

06.03.2026 01:06 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Suboptimal start for the Rockets, who trail 22-11 with 4:26 left in the first quarter.

Houston shooting 29 percent from the field. Have not loved Sengun's start, all his shots have come from much further out than you'd like. Couple shots from just inside FT circle + one from 3.

06.03.2026 00:54 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Draymond guarding Durant? This should be fun.

06.03.2026 00:44 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0

Jabari Smith Jr. will play tonight. Rockets going with:

Amen, Tari, Bari, KD, Şengün as their first five.

06.03.2026 00:01 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Amen and Alperen will play tonight. Jabari testing his ankle out.

05.03.2026 22:53 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

What questions do you have about the Rockets? Rotation decisions, team vibes, life on the road, postseason prospects etc.

Ask and you may get an answer on the next Rockets Insider newsletter.

05.03.2026 02:21 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

What questions do you have about the Rockets? Rotation decisions, team vibes, life on the road, postseason prospects etc.

Ask and you may get an answer on the next Rockets Insider newsletter.

05.03.2026 02:21 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

The Rockets expect two starters dealing with ankle injuries to play tomorrow vs the Warriors.

Link 👇🏽

05.03.2026 00:11 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Rockets injuries updates: Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. expected back Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr., who have been dealing with ankle injuries, are expected to be ready vs. Warriors on Thursday.

www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

04.03.2026 20:59 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The Rockets expect two starters dealing with ankle injuries to play tomorrow vs the Warriors.

Link 👇🏽

04.03.2026 20:59 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Dorian Finney-Smith can still be a key for Rockets in playoffs but time is short Dorian Finney-Smith is getting closer to 100% after offseason ankle surgery but Houston has just 22 games left before playoffs.

www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

03.03.2026 20:18 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

It has not been an easy season for Dorian Finney-Smith, who is clearly finding his rhythm after offseason ankle surgery.

How his body is feeling, how he (and I) evaluate his season to-date and what could be next in my latest for @HoustonChron:

Link below👇🏾

03.03.2026 20:18 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant are too much for Wizards as Rockets win Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant combined for 62 points as Houston Rockets put away smaller Washington Wizards

www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

03.03.2026 04:32 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Observations from a Rockets win over what Ime Udoka called an "inferior team."
- Şengün, Houston dominate inside
- Reed has an all-around performance, leading to potential starting 5 questions
- Turnovers are an issue
- Tari Eason ejected

Link below!

03.03.2026 04:32 👍 7 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Amen rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter per Udoka, tbd on severity.

03.03.2026 02:38 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 1

118*

03.03.2026 02:28 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Rockets win, 123-115, over the Wizards

03.03.2026 02:28 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Eason gets two techs, gets ejected.

Watkins gets a tech.

03.03.2026 01:48 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0