Missouri native Ben McLemore had an eventful Super Sunday.
In the afternoon, the 6-foot-3 reserve guard scored 22 points off the bench for the Rockets, helping spark Houston’s 117-109 victory (box score) over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. It’s the fifth win for the Rockets (31-18) in their last seven games.
McLemore had four of the team’s 16 makes from 3-point range, which were crucial in helping the undersized Rockets (due to the injury absence of center Clint Capela) overcome the Pelicans’ size and athleticism.
[lawrence-related id=23612]
With an aggressive approach, McLemore also set season-highs in free-throws attempted (8) and made (6), and the Rockets were a +14 during his 24 minutes. That represented the team’s No. 2 plus/minus figure, and his overall points total was tied for second with Russell Westbrook.
Among those highlights was a poster dunk over Pelicans big man Jaxson Hayes, which helped set the tone early for the Rockets.
Ben McLemore posters Jaxson Hayes 😯 pic.twitter.com/emZ3ZZiWsO
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) February 2, 2020
After the game ended, the St. Louis, Missouri native had a Patrick Mahomes jersey hanging at his locker. Mahomes, of course, is the star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who won Sunday night’s Super Bowl and are currently Missouri’s only NFL team.
Missouri native Ben McLemore has a Patrick Mahomes jersey at his locker. Assuming he’s wearing that tonight.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 2, 2020
Later in the evening, when Mahomes and the Chiefs secured the NFL’s championship, the 26-year-old McLemore was ready to celebrate.
The Rockets don’t play again until Tuesday night at home versus Charlotte, which gives McLemore one more day to fully bask in the glory.
[lawrence-related id=23330,23218]