With rookie sensation and No. 2 overall draft pick Jalen Green sidelined again (as expected) by a minor hamstring injury, the Houston Rockets didn’t have nearly enough offense in Sunday’s 89-76 loss (box score) to Orlando at the 2021 Las Vegas Summer League. The Rockets are now 2-0 in games that Green has finished, and 0-2 when he does not.
The Rockets were led Sunday by rookie guard Josh Christopher, who scored a game-high 22 points in 29 minutes. However, he shot just 7-of-19 (36.8%) from the field, and he committed seven turnovers. Meanwhile, big man Alperen Sengun had 13 points (50.0% FG), 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 24 minutes. Sengun and Christopher were picked at No. 16 and No. 24, respectively, in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft.
Second-year forward Anthony Lamb scored 17 points, including five makes from 3-point range in the first half. For much of the game, that kept Houston at least within striking distance of the Magic, who were led by 15 points from second-year guard Cole Anthony. Both Orlando and Houston are now 2-2, with one final summer game to be played for both teams on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. (Tuesday’s opponent and game time for the Rockets is still to be determined.)
Overall, it was a forgettable game for the Rockets, who shot 33.3% from the field, 22.0% on 3-pointers (9-of-41), and 23 total turnovers. Houston had a new starting backcourt in Tremont Waters and Armoni Brooks, who each made their summer league debuts on Sunday, but they combined to shoot just 3-of-17 from the field (17.6%).
See below for Sunday’s postgame reaction by Christopher, Lamb, and summer league head coach Will Weaver.
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