Dillon Brooks

Brooks provided 21 points (9-16 FG, 3-8 3Pt) and two rebounds in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 143-105 win over Utah.

Brooks now has 16 technical fouls on the season, which triggers an automatic one-game suspension

The Rockets' Dillon Brooks is set to face an automatic one-game ban after he was whistled for his 16th technical of the season during Wednesday's game against the Jazz.

The Rockets are without Fred VanVleet, who will not play due to a sore right ankle. Eason replaces him in the lineup, and this also shifts Thompson into the point guard role. The lineup change raises Thompson and Eason's fantasy ceilings.

Brooks was whistled for a technical foul with 7:12 remaining in the first quarter when he kicked Collin Sexton in the stomach after being stripped of the basketball. That was his 16th of the season, which triggers an automatic one-game suspension unless the league overturns the call. While this wasn't Bruce Lee vs. Kareen Abdul-Jabbar in "Game of Death," it's doubtful Brooks receives the benefit of the doubt. So don't expect to see him on the court on Friday when the Rockets host the Thunder. That could keep Tari Eason in the starting lineup, even if Fred VanVleet returns from his ankle injury.