As good as Brooks has been on offense this season, Brooks’ calling card is his defense. With his elite ability as an on-ball defender, Brooks plays an important role on a Rockets team that ranks second in the league in defensive rating. Their 105.5 rating is only bested by the Oklahoma City Thunder (103.0).

With Brooks and key reserve Tari Eason out, the Rockets will likely bring little-used reserves Cam Whitmore and Jae’Sean Tate off the bench. Both keyed the Rockets’ turnaround Sunday in their comeback win at Toronto, matching or exceeding their season-high scoring games and bringing energy that had been lacking early in the game.

Dillon Brooks has poured in 53 points in Houston’s last two wins, and the Rockets (19-9) are now 6-0 this season when he scores at least 18 points.