Category: Interviews

Takeaways: Timberwolves stifle Rockets as Anthony Edwards outduels Jalen Green

Anthony Edwards (32 points in 34 minutes, 50% FG) was dominant, and Minnesota’s defense smothered Jalen Green and the Rockets in Sunday’s blowout victory.

In Sunday’s opener of a four-game road trip, the Rockets didn’t have the firepower to keep up with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves in a 111-90 blowout loss (box score). As a team, Houston shot  31-of-88 from the field (35.2%) at Target Center and was outrebounded 58-41.

The Timberwolves (35-15) are tied for first place in the Western Conference, while Houston (23-26) falls a game behind Utah (25-26) for the No. 10 spot in the West standings — and with it, what will eventually be the final play-in tournament berth.

Edwards led the Timberwolves with 32 points, shooting 11-of-22 from the field and 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50%). Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert controlled the paint with a game-high 13 rebounds and 4 blocks. Minnesota was a game-best plus-32 in his 31 minutes.

With 14 points off the bench, emerging rookie Cam Whitmore scored in double figures for the Rockets in a seventh straight game. He shot 4-of-13 from the field (30.8%) against Minnesota’s defense, though he made 3-of-8 from 3-point range (37.5%).

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 15 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 7-of-14 from the field (50%) while making his lone 3-pointer. Coming off a recent hot stretch, the script was flipped for Jalen Green. He scored just 8 points on 3-of-15 shooting (20%), including 0-of-5 from 3-point range. He had a team-high 7 assists.

Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remained out due to injury, though Houston is hopeful he will return this week.

Here’s our look at Sunday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the road trip continues with its second stop, next up for Houston is Tuesday’s game at Indiana (27-23), where tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Central.

Rookies Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore set career highs as Rockets blast Raptors

Rockets rookies Amen Thompson (19 points, 7 rebounds) and Cam Whitmore (25 points, 6 rebounds) each set career-highs Friday as Houston routed Toronto.

HOUSTON — In Friday’s finale of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center, rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each set career highs in scoring as Houston routed Toronto, 135-106 (box score).

The Rockets (23-25) finished the homestand at 2-1, while the Raptors (17-31) lost for the 10th time in 12 games.

In a dominant win by the Rockets with a season-high 84 points in the paint, double-figure scorers for the home team included:

  • Cam Whitmore: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals in 21 minutes; 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Amen Thompson: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals in 24 minutes; 9-of-11 shooting (81.8%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 24 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists in 29 minutes; 10-of-14 shooting (71.4%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists in 27 minutes; 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 3 rebounds in 24 minutes; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 6 assists in 25 minutes; 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)

Whitmore has now scored 17 or more points in five straight games despite averaging under 25 minutes per game over that stretch.

Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 28 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 10-of-17 overall (58.8%) and 7-of-8 on free throws (87.5%).

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the homestand in the books, next up for Houston is a tough game Sunday at Minnesota (34-14) to open up a four-game road trip. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Jalen Green continues 30-point scoring binge as Pelicans clip Rockets

Jonas Valanciunas and the Pelicans bullied Houston on the glass, but Jalen Green (31 points) continued his torrid stretch in a competitive loss by the Rockets.

HOUSTON — In the midpoint of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets couldn’t survive an unusually poor night by big man Alperen Sengun in Wednesday night’s 110-99 loss (box score) to the Pelicans. With the win, New Orleans (27-21) defeated Houston (22-25) for the first time in three tries this season.

Sengun, an All-Star candidate, had 10 points and 10 rebounds but shot just 4-of-11 from the field (36.4%). Making matters worse, his opponent — bruising big man Jonas Valanciunas of the Pelicans — was dominant with 25 points (66.7% FG) and 14 rebounds.

Still, the Rockets kept it competitive and came within a possession midway through the second half thanks to another spectacular game from a resurgent Jalen Green. The third-year guard finished with 31 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, shooting 11-of-20 from the field (55.0%) and 5-of-12 on 3-pointers (41.7%).

In his last five outings, Green is averaging a team-high 29.8 points per game while shooting 51.5% overall and 35.5% on 3-pointers.

Rookie guard Cam Whitmore added 17 points and 2 steals in 20 minutes off the bench, shooting 6-of-12 overall (50.0%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%). But that wasn’t nearly enough when Valanciunas and the Pelicans bullied Sengun and the Rockets on the glass, with a commanding 56-29 rebounding margin proving decisive.

Making matters worse, Rockets outside of Green and Whitmore only connected on 5-of-25 from 3-point range (20.0%). Jabari Smith Jr., making just his second start since returning from an ankle injury, didn’t score and missed all four of his 3-pointers. He had just 1 rebound in 22 minutes and was a team-worst -19 over that time.

Brandon Ingram added 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who were without Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones on Wednesday due to injuries. Tari Eason again sat out for the Rockets.

Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the homestand concludes, next up for the Rockets is Friday’s matchup versus the Toronto Raptors (17-30). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.

Quinyon Mitchell: ‘I just want to dominate’ at the Senior Bowl

Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell: “I just want to dominate” at the Senior Bowl and he’s off to a good start

One of the buzziest names around Mobile over the first part of Senior Bowl week is Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. The potential first-round pick sat down with our Detroit Lions Podcast for an interview, and his confidence shined through.

Mitchell made sure to not get pigeonholed as a specific type of corner.

“I’m best at everything,” Mitchell said when I asked him what style of coverage he felt was his best. “At Toledo, I played a lot of off-man. It gave me a chance to break on the ball and stuff like that to make more plays.”

Mitchell was very quick to call Toledo’s game against San Jose State the best game of his college career.

We asked Mitchell what his goal for the week was, and he answered very true to his character.

“I just want to dominate.”

The interview was recorded prior to the first practice session. Mitchell went out at performed very well in the National team practice on Tuesday.

‘Special’: Lakers coach Darvin Ham on Cam Whitmore, Houston’s young core

“They’ve got the makings to be really special for a long time,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham says of the current young core in Houston.

HOUSTON — In his pregame media session prior to Monday’s game between the Lakers and Rockets, Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham referred to a “three-headed monster” for the home team.

That monster, as Ham clarified, consisted of veteran point guard Fred VanVleet and two talented third-year prospects: center Alperen Sengun (already an All-Star candidate) and guard Jalen Green. Houston drafted both players in the NBA’s 2021 first round.

Later in the same interview, Ham shared strong praise for emerging Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore, who the Lakers had in for a pre-draft visit prior to Whitmore’s selection by Houston in the 2023 first round. Ham referred to Whitmore as a “bright young superstar.”

Ham expanded his commentary to include all of Houston’s young nucleus. Whitmore, Sengun, Green and second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. were among the names he rattled off.

“They’ve got the makings to be really special for a long time,” Ham surmised of the current young core in Houston.

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Craig Porter Jr. on contributing with Cavaliers: ‘I wanted to get to this level so bad’

Rookie Wire recently caught up with Porter to discuss the Cavaliers, making a significant impact as a rookie, his contract and more.

Craig Porter Jr. didn’t expect to play much with the Cleveland Cavaliers but injuries and other factors created an opportunity, and the rookie has produced when called upon this season.

His journey to the Cavaliers started at the collegiate level at Vincennes University, a junior college in Vincennes, Indiana. He helped lead the program to a national championship in 2019 and a 62-7 record over two seasons.

Porter opted to transfer and played his last three years at Wichita State.

He was named to the All-AAC third team last season as a fifth-year senior after averaging 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. He became the first Shocker to lead the team in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks in a single season.

The 23-year-old joined the Cavaliers for the NBA Summer League after going undrafted and then signed a two-way contract with the team on July 7. He posted averages of 12 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in six appearances.

Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been impressed by him.

He is extremely mature. He is another guy whose story has led him to see a lot of different things, and he had to grow up through it. He earned his way here, going undrafted, (being at a) junior college and playing four years of college. He is mature and has seen a lot. I have so much trust in him because he doesn’t have the typical (inconsistent play) that young 1-and-dones or rookie guys have. He always stays steady and always stays the course.

Porter expected to spend most of the season in the G League with the Cleveland Charge. However, the Cavaliers have dealt with injuries to key players Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert, which thrust him into a larger role.

The situation has been so dire that Porter hasn’t played with the Charge.

He is averaging 7.1 points, 3.1 assists and 2.7 rebounds on 51.2% shooting from the field in 29 games with the Cavaliers. He produced his best stretch of the season in November, averaging 14.4 points, 4.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds in a five-game span.

Porter filled in with the team down Mitchell and Isaac Okoro. He had several clutch plays and performed at a high level, including a 12-point, nine-assist effort in a win against Philadelphia on Nov. 21.

“He is steady, and that is unheard of for an undrafted two-way guard,” Mitchell said. “There are nights when he comes in at the end of the game, and when he comes in and has 12 and (nine) against the Sixers on the TNT game on the road. You never know if he is having a good or bad day; he is just steady. That speaks a lot to his maturity level and character as a person. It is awesome to see.”

Porter has made a strong case to be upgraded to a standard contract. The team has 14 players signed to standard contracts, including one 10-day contract, which is the league roster minimum, so an additional move will likely be made in the future.

Rookie Wire recently caught up with Porter to discuss playing with the Cavaliers, making a significant impact as a rookie, his contract situation and more.

Reaction: Cam Whitmore leads frantic rally as Rockets fall just short in Brooklyn

Rookie guard Cam Whitmore (19 points, 9 rebounds) led Houston’s frantic comeback bid in the fourth quarter, but the Nets had just enough of a cushion to survive.

In night two of a road back-to-back, the Rockets couldn’t overcome a nightmarish start in Saturday’s 106-104 loss at Brooklyn (box score). The Nets (18-27) led by 28 points in a dominant first half before an epic Houston comeback cut the lead to one in the closing seconds, only to have Alperen Sengun miss one of two free throws when he had a chance to tie the game with 2.4 seconds left.

Had Houston finished off its rally, the 28-point turnaround would have been the greatest comeback in franchise history.

As it is, it’s the latest chapter in an underwhelming January for the Rockets. Houston (21-24) is now 4-9 in its last 13 games, and they are just 5-16 in road games for the 2023-24 season to date.

Rookie guard Cam Whitmore played a key role in Houston’s fourth-quarter lineup, which trimmed a 20-point lead early in the quarter to as little as a point in those frantic final seconds. After posting career-highs in points and rebounds in Friday’s win, Whitmore was nearly as good Saturday with a team-high 19 points and 9 rebounds, including 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%) and 4-of-4 on free throws.

Jalen Green (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Dillon Brooks (19 points, 5 rebounds) tied Whitmore for the scoring lead, and Green hit 4-of-9 from 3-point range (44.4%). With Sengun struggling to make his usual impact versus the length and athleticism of Nic Claxton, Rockets coach Ime Udoka went small for much of the final minutes and trusted a lineup comprised of Green, Whitmore, and three proven defensive players in Brooks, Fred VanVleet, and Jae’Sean Tate.

The closing seconds also featured controversy when Green appeared to tie up third-year guard Cam Thomas with just over five seconds left to play. Had a jump ball been called, the Rockets would have had an opportunity to secure possession and win the game with any made shot. Instead, the official whistled Green for a foul, and Thomas hit both free throws to push the lead back to three.

With Cam Johnson (personal reasons) out for Brooklyn, Thomas stepped into his starting lineup slot and made quite an impression, finishing with a game-high 37 points on 11-of-19 shooting (57.9%). He hit 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%) and 12-of-15 free throws (80.0%).

For Houston, second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both remained out, though head coach Ime Udoka said Saturday that he was hopeful that Smith would be able to return for Houston’s next game.

Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is Monday’s opener of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center versus the Los Angeles Lakers (23-23). Tipoff of that game, which could be crucial in a tight standings race for Western Conference play-in tournament spots, is set for 7:00 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Rockets swarm Hornets as Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore break out

Jalen Green (36 points, 10 rebounds) and Cam Whitmore (24 points, 11 rebounds) each had their best games of the season as the Rockets routed Charlotte on the road.

In the opener of a road back-to-back, the Rockets put their recent struggles behind them in Friday’s dominant 138-104 win (box score) at Charlotte (10-33). Two nights after being upset at home by Portland, Houston (21-23) made amends as they battle for a potential spot in the 2023-24 Western Conference play-in tournament.

Third-year guard Jalen Green had his best night of the season to date with a team-high 36 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 12-of-20 overall (60.0%) and 11-of-12 on free throws (91.7%). His season-high totals came in only three quarters, owing to the blowout margin.

Rookie reserve Cam Whitmore had 24 points and 11 rebounds in nearly 20 minutes, shooting 9-of-18 overall (50.0%) and 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%). Veteran guard Fred VanVleet had 14 points on 3-of-5 shooting from 3-point range, and he also had a career-high 6 blocks.

Fellow rookie Amen Thompson stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals in 23 minutes, shooting 4-of-6 overall (66.7%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, and 4-of-6 on free throws.

As a team, Houston shot 50-of-89 overall (56.2%) and 13-of-33 on 3-pointers (39.4%) on Friday while limiting the Hornets to 35-of-85 shooting (41.2%) and just 9-of-29 from 3-point range (31.0%). Led by 20 combined rebounds from Green and Whitmore, Houston dominated the rebounding battle by a decisive 53-32 margin.

Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 21 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 7-of-11 from the field (63.6%) and 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

Here’s our look at Friday night’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is part two of this weekend’s road back-to-back on Saturday at Brooklyn (17-27), where tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. Central.

Interview: Alperen Sengun on his growth and the 2023-24 Rockets

In a newly released interview with ESPN’s JJ Redick, Rockets center Alperen Sengun breaks down his impressive 2023-24 season at a personal and team level.

In an appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast — hosted by former NBA player and current league analyst JJ Redick — third-year Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun sat down to discuss his personal growth and that of the team in the 2023-24 season.

Just 21 years old, the Turkish sensation is averaging 22.1 points (54.1% FG), 9.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.8 minutes per game. He’s a clear All-Star candidate, and his success has helped the Rockets (20-23) remain competitive in a close race for one of the four play-in tournament spots in the Western Conference.

Here’s the episode summary from The Old Man and the Three, with the complete podcast and select clips available below.

This week we welcome Alperen Şengün, the young Turkish NBA star and center of the Houston Rockets. Alperen discusses his experience growing up playing basketball is Turkey and his relationship with past and present Turkish players in the league.

He also shares what it means to him as being labeled as “Baby Nikola Jokic,” how he eventually want to move on from being compared to the Denver Nuggets superstar, and his mindset going into matchups against Jokic and 76ers center Joel Embiid.

He then discusses the 2023-24 Houston Rockets, including what the addition of point guard Fred VanVleet has meant to the the young team, what’s he’s learned about Dillon Brooks from being his teammate, and how much he enjoys the coaching style of Ime Udoka. He also breaks down his famous one-legged shot.

The complete episode was published on Friday, Jan. 26.

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Reaction: Defenseless Rockets stunned at buzzer by Blazers, Jerami Grant

In another sluggish defensive showing, Jerami Grant beat the regulation buzzer in Houston, and the Blazers went on to shock the Rockets in overtime.

HOUSTON — In the finale of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets suffered a difficult setback in Wednesday’s 137-131 overtime loss (box score) to the Portland Trail Blazers.

With the loss, Houston (20-23) missed a chance to pull into a virtual tie with Utah and the Los Angeles Lakers (both 22-23) for the No. 9 and No. 10 spots in the Western Conference standings, which would represent the final two spots in the 2023-24 play-in tournament.

The Rockets led by four points entering the game’s closing seconds, but Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant each hit miraculous 3-pointers in the final 3.1 seconds of regulation (sandwiched around a pair of free throws by Aaron Holiday) to extend the game to overtime. Grant’s off-balance, off-glass heave from the right wing went in as time expired, and Portland pulled away in overtime.

Grant finished with 21 points and 9 assists for lowly Portland (13-30), which entered on night two of a road back-to-back. Houston, on the other hand, was at home and rested, having not played since Sunday.

The Rockets had plenty of standouts on offense, including:

  • Alperen Sengun: 30 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists; 11-of-17 shooting (64.7%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 7-of-8 on free throws (87.5%)
  • Jalen Green: 29 points, 3 assists; 12-of-24 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%), 3-of-4 on free throws (75.0%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 18 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks; 8-of-17 shooting (47.1%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 12 points, 4 rebounds in 14 minutes; 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)

As a team, the Rockets made 50-of-94 shots (53.2%) in one of their most efficient shooting nights all season. However, it didn’t matter thanks to Portland’s incredible shotmaking late in regulation and another lethargic defensive night by Houston, which ranks just 18th in defensive rating in January. That’s well below their No. 10 ranking for the 2023-24 season (it was once at No. 2), and it has a lot to do with why the slumping Rockets are 3-8 in their last 11 games.

The Rockets were again short-handed, with second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) still sidelined and Jae’Sean Tate (left wrist strain) missing his only his third game of the 2023-24 season.

Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a road back-to-back, starting Friday night in Charlotte (10-31) and continuing to Brooklyn (17-26) on Saturday afternoon.