With 27 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds, Rio Grande Valley (RGV) guard Kevin Porter Jr. became the first player to record a triple-double at this year’s NBA G League bubble in Florida. Led by Porter, the Vipers won Thursday’s game, 124-113 (box score), over the Erie Bayhawks.
The Vipers are the G League affiliate organization of the Houston Rockets. As such, RGV utilizes systems and schemes that should have those players more ready to contribute to the parent NBA club, if needed.
For the Rockets, Porter is the highest-profile player on RGV’s roster. After being selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft, the 6-foot-4 lefty averaged 10.0 points in 23.2 minutes per game during his rookie season with the Cavaliers. However, his 2020-21 activities in Cleveland were extremely limited due to numerous personal issues.
The Rockets traded for Porter in January and quickly assigned him to the Vipers, citing a phased reintegration plan after his extended time off. In 10 outings with RGV, the 20-year-old has averaged 23.7 points (44.1% FG), 7.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per game.
.@Kevinporterjr with the first triple-double of the NBA G-League season: 27 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds, 2 steals. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/Iq4NtK9ATB
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) February 25, 2021
Porter has generally worked at point guard with the Vipers, and he will slide in as the backup to John Wall whenever he reports to the Rockets. With Wall typically unavailable for one game of all back-to-back scenarios, that could offer Porter an opportunity for extended minutes.
The Vipers’ G League schedule is scheduled to conclude on March 5, so Porter should be back with the Rockets before the second half of the 2020-21 regular season begins on March 11. Though Houston (11-19) is on a nine-game losing streak, the arrival of Porter could provide a much-needed jolt and infusion of energy in the weeks ahead.
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Kevin Porter Jr in the G League just now:
27 Points
11 Rebounds
14 Assists
2 Steals
1 Block
+21 in an 11 point WThe first triple-double of the G League Season. Career-high in assists and rebounds. His potential is through the roof.
FULL HIGHLIGHTS: https://t.co/9omouZPUkp pic.twitter.com/xOseXIPltU
— Disney Gary Clark (@Itamar1710) February 25, 2021