With a healthy roster, the Rockets begin the preseason by returning to their usual starting lineup

When the Rockets went on an 11-game winning streak toward the end of the 2023-24 regular season, part of that involved a different starting lineup. After Alperen Sengun suffered a season-ending ankle injury on March 10, Houston moved power forward Jabari Smith Jr. to center and then sent versatile rookie Amen Thompson to where Smith had previously played.

The transition went relatively well, as evidenced by the Rockets remaining undefeated for almost three more weeks.

But with the 2024-25 season starting later this month, Sengun is now fully healthy. And while Thompson has certainly fared well in his first entry into Houston's starting lineup, head coach Ime Udoka doesn't appear ready to bump up one of his former starters to give Thompson a longer-term spot.

At practice on Sunday, Udoka was asked by Lachard Binkley of the Rockets on SI if Houston would keep the same starting lineup it had for most of last season (Sengun, Smith, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet).

Udoka replied:

Of course, it's worth noting that there are still four preseason games before the regular season opener on October 23, which is still more than two weeks away. So, depending on the results of the exhibition, Udoka and the Rockets could still have time to reach a different conclusion.

But for now — starting with Monday's season opener at Utah — the Rockets appear to be sticking with the primary starting group they've used since signing VanVleet and Brooks as free agents in July 2023.

More: Rockets at Jazz, Oct. 7 preseason opener: lineups, injuries, transfer information

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: As the preseason begins, the Rockets will likely return to their usual starting lineup