Houston Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. lost his temper during a heated halftime discussion and didn’t return to the court, leaving the Toyota Center during the second half of Saturday’s 124-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets, sources told ESPN. Porter became upset after assistant coach John Lucas challenged him, revisiting an issue that led to Porter losing his composure on the bench during the first half, sources said. The Rockets, who trailed 77-55 at halftime of their seventh consecutive loss, did not return to the court until moments before the third quarter began. “We had a spirited debate,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said during his postgame media availability. “I have certain demands of this team as far as playing hard. … I wasn’t satisfied with the effort.”
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. reportedly left arena at half after “heated” argument with coach
nba.nbcsports.com/2022/01/02/roc… – 3:06 AM
Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. reportedly left arena at half after “heated” argument with coach
nba.nbcsports.com/2022/01/02/roc… – 3:06 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. leaves arena after halftime confrontation with assistant coach Lucas
sportando.basketball/en/rockets-kev… – 2:44 AM
Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. leaves arena after halftime confrontation with assistant coach Lucas
sportando.basketball/en/rockets-kev… – 2:44 AM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
New #Rockets at #TXSN – Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. leaves Toyota Center after halftime quarrel ift.tt/3eHFD7z – 2:18 AM
New #Rockets at #TXSN – Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. leaves Toyota Center after halftime quarrel ift.tt/3eHFD7z – 2:18 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Full details on events involving Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. and center Christian Wood after assistant coach John Lucas calls out players: theathletic.com/news/rockets-k… – 1:00 AM
Full details on events involving Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. and center Christian Wood after assistant coach John Lucas calls out players: theathletic.com/news/rockets-k… – 1:00 AM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Wrote earlier this season on the tough-love dynamic between assistant coach John Lucas and the Rockets’ young players, particularly Kevin Porter Jr. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 12:35 AM
Wrote earlier this season on the tough-love dynamic between assistant coach John Lucas and the Rockets’ young players, particularly Kevin Porter Jr. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 12:35 AM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. leaves Toyota Center after halftime quarrel houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 12:25 AM
Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. leaves Toyota Center after halftime quarrel houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 12:25 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Full ESPN story with @Tim MacMahon on Houston’s Kevin Porter Jr., leaving arena early after halftime blowup with assistant coach: es.pn/3mJjfz9 – 12:22 AM
Full ESPN story with @Tim MacMahon on Houston’s Kevin Porter Jr., leaving arena early after halftime blowup with assistant coach: es.pn/3mJjfz9 – 12:22 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: After Rockets assistant John Lucas called out multiple players including Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood at halftime tonight vs. Nuggets, Porter had a heated exchange with Lucas, threw an object and promptly left the arena – and Wood refused to sub into second half. – 12:06 AM
Sources: After Rockets assistant John Lucas called out multiple players including Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood at halftime tonight vs. Nuggets, Porter had a heated exchange with Lucas, threw an object and promptly left the arena – and Wood refused to sub into second half. – 12:06 AM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
Kevin Porter Jr. is eligible to negotiate a big contract extension this offseason. There’s more to learn about what happened but straight up leaving the arena at halftime? That’s the kind of thing that could cost him millions. – 12:03 AM
Kevin Porter Jr. is eligible to negotiate a big contract extension this offseason. There’s more to learn about what happened but straight up leaving the arena at halftime? That’s the kind of thing that could cost him millions. – 12:03 AM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. lost his temper during a heated halftime discussion and didn’t return to the court, leaving the Toyota Center during the second half of tonight’s loss to the Nuggets, sources told @Adrian Wojnarowski and me.
ESPN story coming soon. – 11:52 PM
Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. lost his temper during a heated halftime discussion and didn’t return to the court, leaving the Toyota Center during the second half of tonight’s loss to the Nuggets, sources told @Adrian Wojnarowski and me.
ESPN story coming soon. – 11:52 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
#Rockets HC Silas said Kevin Porter Jr didn’t play in the 2nd half b/c they were evaluating that leg again. Porter’s left thigh contusion was the issue again. – 11:00 PM
#Rockets HC Silas said Kevin Porter Jr didn’t play in the 2nd half b/c they were evaluating that leg again. Porter’s left thigh contusion was the issue again. – 11:00 PM
Cayleigh Griffin @cayleighgriffin
Kevin Porter Jr.’s left thigh is being evaluated. He is questionable to return. He missed 12 straight games with the left thigh contusion. – 9:59 PM
Kevin Porter Jr.’s left thigh is being evaluated. He is questionable to return. He missed 12 straight games with the left thigh contusion. – 9:59 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Kevin Porter Jr.’s left thigh is being evaluated, Rockets said. He was listed as probable with the issue he has had much of the season. – 9:58 PM
Kevin Porter Jr.’s left thigh is being evaluated, Rockets said. He was listed as probable with the issue he has had much of the season. – 9:58 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets say Kevin Porter Jr is questionable to return tonight (Left thigh) – 9:57 PM
Rockets say Kevin Porter Jr is questionable to return tonight (Left thigh) – 9:57 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
For those wondering- Christian Wood is on the Rockets bench, Kevin Porter Jr is not – 9:51 PM
For those wondering- Christian Wood is on the Rockets bench, Kevin Porter Jr is not – 9:51 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
During the 2ndQ under the Nuggets basket, Kevin Porter Jr looked like he tweaked something with his leg, did not come out of the game, but now did not start the second half, Brooks gets the call instead. #Rockets – 9:34 PM
During the 2ndQ under the Nuggets basket, Kevin Porter Jr looked like he tweaked something with his leg, did not come out of the game, but now did not start the second half, Brooks gets the call instead. #Rockets – 9:34 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Armoni Brooks starting the second half instead of Kevin Porter Jr. Wood again not starting the half. – 9:30 PM
Armoni Brooks starting the second half instead of Kevin Porter Jr. Wood again not starting the half. – 9:30 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets starters
Jalen Green
Kevin Porter Jr
David Nwaba
Jae’Sean Tate
Daniel Theis – 7:44 PM
Rockets starters
Jalen Green
Kevin Porter Jr
David Nwaba
Jae’Sean Tate
Daniel Theis – 7:44 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Popeye Jones on defending Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green:
“We’ve struggled containing the ball against athletic backcourts…we have to keep the ball in front.” – 6:40 PM
Popeye Jones on defending Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green:
“We’ve struggled containing the ball against athletic backcourts…we have to keep the ball in front.” – 6:40 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets have ruled out Alperen Sengun from tonight’s game against the Nuggets with a right ankle sprain. Eric Gordon is doubtful (right groin tightness), while Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr are probable. No change with the players currently in health and safety protocols – 2:52 PM
Rockets have ruled out Alperen Sengun from tonight’s game against the Nuggets with a right ankle sprain. Eric Gordon is doubtful (right groin tightness), while Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr are probable. No change with the players currently in health and safety protocols – 2:52 PM
More on this storyline
Sources said Lucas called out multiple players, including Porter and Christian Wood — who was benched after missing a mandatory COVID-19 testing window — during halftime, focusing on Porter’s play and Wood’s effort level. As things escalated, Porter threw an object, needed to be separated from Lucas and then got in his car and left the arena. Wood refused to sub into the game in the second half, sources added. -via The Athletic / January 2, 2022
Center/power forward Christian Wood, the Rockets’ leading scorer this season, did not start Saturday night due to breaking a team rule, Silas said. Wood played eight scoreless minutes in the first half, during which Houston was outscored by 17 points, and did not play in the second half. “Coach’s decision,” Silas said of Wood sitting out the second half. A source said that potential discipline, if any, for Porter has yet to be determined. -via ESPN / January 2, 2022
A Rockets source told The Athletic’s Kelly Iko that the team has spoken to Porter since the halftime incident and he’s apologetic for the overreaction. -via The Athletic / January 2, 2022