Tag: 2021 NBA Summer League

Interviews: Rockets react to first summer loss, Jalen Green injury, Usman Garuba debut

Houston lost Thursday’s summer game to Toronto, and the key postgame storylines involved Jalen Green’s injury and Usman Garuba’s debut.

The Houston Rockets fell to 2-1 in Las Vegas Summer League play with Thursday’s 92-76 loss (box score) to Toronto. But the biggest postgame storyline involved the health of prized rookie Jalen Green.

Green scored 13 points (3-of-5 on 3-pointers) in just 12 minutes, but he left late in the first half with right hamstring soreness. Early indications were that it was precautionary rather than a major injury, though it seems doubtful that the 19-year-old would return quickly for exhibitions.

In Green’s absence, the Rockets didn’t have nearly enough shot creating ability and shot just 33.3% from the field (25.7% on 3-pointers). Rookie guard Josh Christopher scored a team-high 14 points, but he made only 4-of-18 shots (22.2%) from the field and 1-of-9 from 3-point range (11.1%). Rookie big man Alperen Sengun had 9 points and 11 rebounds, but he shot just 3-of-10 (30%) and committed five turnovers.

Fellow first-round rookie Usman Garuba made his summer debut just hours after catching a long plane flight from Spain to the United States. He didn’t score, but grabbed 6 rebounds in 12 minutes.

The Raptors (2-1) were led by Ish Wainright, who had 20 points (58.3% FG), 7 rebounds, and 4 steals in 29 minutes. Big man Precious Achiuwa added 19 points (72.7% FG), 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 26 minutes.

Toronto wing Scottie Barnes, who was taken at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft (two spots after Green), had 5 blocks in 23 minutes — but the Rockets held him to 2-of-7 shooting (28.6%).

See below for postgame comments from Houston’s locker room on Thursday night. The Rockets return to summer play on Sunday versus No. 5 pick Jalen Suggs and Orlando, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. Central.

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‘It’s pretty much caution’: Rockets lose Jalen Green to hamstring issue

Rockets head coach Stephen Silas on Jalen Green’s hamstring injury: “He just felt a little tightness, so we’re going to be extra careful.”

After two brilliant games at the Las Vegas Summer League and a strong start to his third, Houston Rockets rookie guard Jalen Green abruptly left Thursday’s game versus Toronto with a sore right hamstring.

Green had started Thursday’s game with 13 points (3-of-5 on 3-pointers) and 3 rebounds in just 12 minutes, but he grimaced after a shot attempt late in the second quarter and struggled to get back on defense.

Within minutes, the Rockets issued an update that Green was done for the night with right hamstring soreness. In a third-quarter interview with NBA TV, which was broadcasting the game, head coach Stephen Silas was asked whether Green’s removal was due to caution or if it might be something more concerning than that. Silas responded:

It’s pretty much caution. He just felt a little tightness, so we’re going to be extra careful and have him back there getting some treatment. We have two days off between this game and our next (on Sunday), so we’ll see how it goes.

It’s hard for those guys. They weren’t playing a lot leading up to this, just individual workouts, and now they’re playing every other day. So yeah, we’re going to be cautious with that.

During the third quarter, Green was able to rejoin his summer league teammates on the Houston bench.

Green entered Thursday averaging 24.0 points (51.7% FG, 50.0% on 3-pointers), 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 29.9 minutes per game. The Rockets won convincingly in each of those summer league contests. Just 19 years old, the 6-foot-6 guard was picked No. 2 in the 2021 NBA draft, and he’s considered a cornerstone player in Houston’s rebuild moving forward.

NBA training camps for the season aren’t expected to begin until late September, so Green could have as many as six weeks to rest his hamstring between Thursday’s injury and when official 2021-22 preparations begin for Silas and the Rockets. However, it sounds as if the team is hopeful such extended downtime will not be necessary.

Final word on Green’s status for the remaining two games of summer league play won’t be known until the weekend, but expect the Rockets to err on the side of caution with such an important young player.

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WATCH: Kai Jones puts on dunking clinic against the San Antonio Spurs

Check out all the high-flying dunks from Kai Jones in today’s game against the Spurs.

Charlotte Hornets rookie Kai Jones was known for his high-flying poster dunks coming out of Texas, and he put that ability on display Thursday in Las Vegas against the San Antonio Spurs.

In the Hornets’ 106-105 loss in the summer league, Jones finished with 10 points and five rebounds, which included two “SportsCenter” top-10 worthy dunks.

First, near the top of the second quarter, Jones caught the ball on the left wing, faked left and drove across the lane as he rose above Spurs forward Nate Renfro and through down a monster slam.

Second, Jones flies through the lane to snag an offensive rebound off a James Bouknight miss and slams it home halfway through the fourth quarter.

Stay tuned to Lonzo Wire for more summer league highlights and news.

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WATCH: LiAngelo Ball hits halftime buzzer-beater against Spurs

LiAngelo sinks the halftime buzzer-beater for the Hornets.

LiAngelo Ball continues to make small waves at Las Vegas Summer League for the Charlotte Hornets.

With 0.6 seconds left in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs. Grant Riller inbounded the ball to Ball who immediately flung up and sank a near half-court heave.

Going into today’s game, LiAngelo is averaging 13 points per game on 50% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from 3-point range.

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NBA scout raves about impressive poise of Rockets rookie Jalen Green

Regarding Rockets rookie Jalen Green, a scout tells The Action Network’s Matt Moore: “His poise has been much better than expected.”

With averages over his first two games of 24.0 points (51.7% FG, 50.0% on 3-pointers), 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 29.9 minutes, it’s easy to see why rookie Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green is drawing attention at the NBA’s 2021 Las Vegas Summer League.

But it’s the way he’s getting those numbers that might be most impressive. Despite facing a variety of defensive coverages in his first two summer league games, including double teams and having pick-and-rolls contested, Green has found ways to adapt and adjust.

At just 19 years old, the 6-foot-6 guard appears to be reading defenses well, and that has stood out to many across the league. Here’s what one NBA scout told The Action Network’s Matt Moore:

Looks great. That’s who he’s going to be in the league, and this is a good environment for him. It would have been concerning if he hadn’t looked good, given his skill set and experience, but he looked good. The side-step 3s are what get you paid in this league. Those shots are what separates guys.

His poise has been much better than expected.

At an average of 14.5 shot attempts per game, it isn’t as if the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft has put up lofty scoring totals due to high volume. Rather, Green’s shots have largely been efficient and within the flow of Houston’s offense. He’s also averaged only 2.5 turnovers, and he’s remained engaged defensively while staying out of foul trouble.

Green will look to continue building on that impressive start when his Rockets face No. 4 pick Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night. Tipoff from Las Vegas is set for 7 p.m. Central, with a nationally televised broadcast available to watch on NBA TV.

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Alperen Sengun wants to become a legend in Houston, NBA

Alperen Sengun, translated: “I will try to be a legend in Houston. I will also try to become an NBA legend, too.”

After being selected at No. 16 in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft, 19-year-old Alperen Sengun has quickly become a fan favorite with the Houston Rockets. In two games (both wins) at the Las Vegas Summer League, the 6-foot-9 big man is averaging 18.0 points (45.8% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers), 11.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game. And he often does it with infectious energy and a smile.

The big man from Turkey isn’t shy about his ambitions, either. In a translated interview, here’s what Sengun says about his future:

I play basketball and I enjoy it. I make money by playing a game that I love. I think that’s really important, so I’m really happy. I’m happy because this is my job. Everything is perfect right now. I hope now that I’m in Houston, everything will be perfect here, too.

I will do my absolute best here. I will try to be a legend in Houston. I will also try to become an NBA legend, too. I hope that in the future, people will look up to me, like I looked up to the previous Turkish players.

Sengun will continue the initial stage of his professional journey when the summer league Rockets (2-0) face the Toronto Raptors (1-1) on Thursday night from Las Vegas. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central on NBA TV, and Sengun is again expected to be Houston’s starting center.

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Rockets vs. Raptors: Live stream, how to watch, TV channel, start time

Led by first-round rookies Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, the Rockets will face Toronto with a chance to improve to 3-0 in summer league.

In a showdown of two of the top four rookies from the 2021 NBA draft class, the Houston Rockets continue summer league play on Thursday from Las Vegas with a matchup against the Raptors.

Toronto’s summer squad (1-1) is headlined by versatile wing Scottie Barnes, who played college hoops at Florida State before becoming the No. 4 selection in the 2021 first round. The Rockets (2-0) are led by G League Ignite guard Jalen Green, who was taken two picks earlier.

Here’s when and how you should watch:

  • Date: Thursday, Aug. 12
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: NBA TV
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
  • Complete Summer Rosters: Toronto, Houston

Aside from Green, the Rockets have started two established NBA players (KJ Martin, Khyri Thomas) and two other first-round rookies (Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher) during their two wins. Meanwhile, the Raptors surrounded Barnes with Malachi Flynn, David Johnson, Ishmail Wainright and Precious Achiuwa during Wednesday’s loss to Golden State.

Note: This post first appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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Interviews: Rockets react after win over Cade Cunningham, Detroit

Jalen Green, Josh Christopher, and summer league head coach Will Weaver shared their analysis after Houston’s impressive win on Tuesday.

Jalen Green, Josh Christopher, and Rockets summer league head coach Will Weaver met with the media on Tuesday night from Las Vegas following Houston’s impressive 111-91 win over Detroit.

Houston improved to 2-0 with the victory, while the Pistons — who have No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham and four players with prior NBA experience alongside him in their lineup — fell to 0-2. The Rockets return to summer league action on Thursday versus Toronto, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central in an NBA TV broadcast.

Statistical standouts from Tuesday’s game (box score) included:

Jalen Green, guard: 25 points (54.5% FG, 60% on 3-pointers), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, +17 in 30 minutes

Alperen Sengun, big: 21 points (57.1% FG), 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists, +22 in 25 minutes

KJ Martin, forward: 16 points (50% FG), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, +11 in 29 minutes

Josh Christopher, guard: 15 points (50% FG), 7 assists, 3 rebounds, +22 in 27 minutes

Cade Cunningham, guard (Pistons): 20 points (44.4% FG), 4 rebounds, 3 steals, -8 in 29 minutes

Green, Sengun, and Christopher are all just 19 years old after being selected in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft at No. 2, No. 16, and No. 24 overall, respectively. With that trio of rookies leading the way and flanked by a promising second-year prospect in Martin, the future looks brighter by the day for the developing Rockets.

Here’s a sampling of Tuesday’s postgame interviews and reaction.

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The game slowed down for Jalen Green in real-time during his first meeting with Cade Cunningham

Rockets rookie Jalen Green won the battle in his first round against Cade Cunningham and Detroit.

In his Las Vegas Summer League debut on Sunday night, Houston Rockets rookie Jalen Green started comfortable and stayed comfortable. Everything seemed to come easily to the NBA G League Ignite product. He wowed the Las Vegas crowd with his self-creation and shotmaking en route to a convincing win over Cleveland.

Tuesday night had a different meaning for a confident Green. Houston faced No. 1 draft pick Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons. While the night ended with a Rockets win and another impressive stat line for the No. 2 overall pick, the path to Green’s numbers felt very different from the ease with which he racked them up two days earlier. The in-game adversity made elements of his performance on Tuesday even more impressive than his opening act.

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In the first quarter of Houston’s 111-91 thrashing of Detroit, the Pistons aggressively pressured Green and brought a physical tone he didn’t see in Sunday’s victory but likely will nightly during the regular season. The result was three early turnovers for the 6-foot-5 guard, as the Pistons jumped to a quick lead.

“I got blitzed, and I had to adjust to that,” Green humbly told reporters after the game. “I just need to slow down a bit more, tonight I got sped up. It was a different adjustment for me, but I still won that battle.”

It didn’t take long for Green to start winning the battle. The game seemed to slow in real time for the 19-year-old. After his three first-quarter giveaways, he turned the ball over once.

“I wasn’t very comfortable early, but I started to figure it out toward the end,” said Green, asked about reading the pick-and-roll.

When the game slowed down for Green, the Rockets sped up as a team. Houston ran away from Detroit in the second half, as the young Rocket scored 16 of his 25 points in the final two quarters.

Tuesday night felt like a microcosm of what a successful rookie season for Green may look like. There will be times where coverages surprise him, physical NBA guards give him fits and the game feels like it’s being played with the remote on fast forward. As he did on Tuesday, the rookie will hopefully be able to adjust on the fly and come out on top, more often than not.

Green also wasn’t afraid to chirp back-and-forth with Cunningham, who was equally talkative after his buckets. The chip on the shoulder of the No. 2 pick is growing after the first of what will likely be many battles between the top two draft picks in a loaded 2021 class.

Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher lead Rockets past Pistons

Even against a starting lineup of Cade Cunningham and four NBA players, Houston’s three first-round rookies were too much to handle.

The Detroit Pistons entered Tuesday’s game at the Las Vegas Summer League with a starting lineup comprised of No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham and four players with NBA experience.

But led by Jalen Green, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2021 first round, the Rockets might have even more young talent. Green, fellow rookie guard Josh Christopher and big man Alperen Sengun stole the show on Tuesday, leading Houston to a 111-91 victory (box score). Led by those three 19-year-olds, the summer Rockets improved to 2-0 in Las Vegas. Cunningham and the Pistons fell to 0-2.

Green led all scorers with an efficient 25 points on 11 shots (54.5% FG), and he adjusted quickly after Detroit frequently doubled and blitzed him to start the game. He also added 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Sengun tallied 21 points (57.1% FG), 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Christopher scored 15 points (50% FG) and dished out a game-high 7 assists.

Second-year forward KJ Martin also made key contributions to Houston’s win with 16 points (50% FG), 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Meanwhile, Cunningham led Detroit with 20 points (44.4% FG) in defeat.

See below for a compilation of highlights and postgame reaction from Tuesday’s game. Houston returns to summer league action on Thursday against No. 4 draft pick Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors. Tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Central in an NBA TV broadcast.

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