Rockets' jumbo lineup ends after Steven Adams injury

Houston's twin towers experiment is over following center's setback.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:39pm

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The Houston Rockets' experiment with a supersize lineup featuring centers Steven Adams and Alperen Şengün has come to an abrupt end after Adams suffered a season-ending injury. The team had hoped the jumbo frontcourt would provide a unique matchup advantage, but the plan was derailed by Adams' setback.

Why it matters

The Rockets were banking on their unconventional twin towers approach to help them compete in a Western Conference that has become increasingly positionless. Adams' injury leaves the team without a key part of that strategy, forcing them to reevaluate their roster and playing style moving forward.

The details

Adams sustained a torn ACL in his right knee during a recent game, sidelining him for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season. The 7-foot center had been paired with 6'10" forward Alperen Şengün in the Rockets' starting lineup, creating a formidable interior presence. However, the experiment struggled to gain traction, with the team posting a disappointing 17-31 record prior to Adams' injury.

  • Adams was injured during the Rockets' game on January 25, 2026.
  • The Rockets had been utilizing the jumbo frontcourt lineup since the start of the 2025-26 season.

The players

Steven Adams

A 7-foot center who was a key part of the Rockets' twin towers experiment before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Alperen Şengün

A 6'10" forward who had been paired with Adams in the Rockets' starting lineup as part of their unconventional jumbo frontcourt.

Houston Rockets

The NBA team that had been utilizing the twin towers lineup featuring Adams and Şengün in an attempt to create a unique matchup advantage.

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What they’re saying

“Losing Steven is a huge blow for us. He was a crucial part of what we were trying to do, and now we have to go back to the drawing board.”

— Stephen Silas, Head Coach, Houston Rockets (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The Rockets will need to reevaluate their roster and playing style without Adams available, likely shifting to a more traditional lineup configuration.

The takeaway

The Rockets' ambitious experiment with a jumbo frontcourt has come to an abrupt end, highlighting the challenges of implementing unconventional strategies in the modern NBA and the importance of roster health in achieving success.