Tag: Bruno Fernando

Reaction: Jalen Green scores 30 points, leads Rockets to stunning rally in Phoenix

Jalen Green scored a team-high 30 points and helped the #Rockets overcome a 16-point deficit in the second half, leading to a stunning road win over Devin Booker and the Suns.

After a pair of uncompetitive losses in Denver, the young Houston Rockets responded with one of their most feel-good victories of the 2022-23 season in Friday’s 122-121 win at Phoenix (box score). The Suns led by 16 points in the second half before the visitors stormed back, headlined by 13-of-19 shooting (68.4%) in the fourth quarter.

The Suns (15-7), who own the best record in the Western Conference, had a six-game winning streak snapped and lost at home for just the second time this season. Meanwhile, the rebuilding Rockets (6-16) won for the first time on a four-game road trip at West contenders.

Jalen Green scored 20 of his team-high 30 points in the third quarter, and he drew a key foul and added a go-ahead free throw in the final 30 seconds to secure the win. Houston won the fourth quarter, 36-25, with Suns star Devin Booker — despite scoring a game-high 41 points — missing a shot at the buzzer that would have won it.

Green made 6-of-10 shots (60.0%) in the third, making for the highest-scoring quarter of his young NBA career, and his 16 free-throw attempts on the game (making 12, or 75%) were a career high. He also contributed with key defensive plays versus Booker, particularly late.

Rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. added 17 points and 6 rebounds for Houston on 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%), while Bruno Fernando registered 14 points and 7 rebounds in only 14 minutes off the bench on 7-of-8 shooting (87.5%).

Kevin Porter Jr. had 15 points and a team-high 7 assists for the Rockets, with several going to Fernando late via pick-and-roll scenarios.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews. Houston finishes out its road trip with Saturday’s matchup at defending NBA champion Golden State, with tipoff at 7:30 p.m. Central.

Bruno Fernando feeling great, excited to finally rejoin Rockets

“I feel great,” says #Rockets center Bruno Fernando, who returned to Houston’s starting lineup on Friday. “It has been a long time coming, but I feel good.”

HOUSTON — Things were going great for Rockets center Bruno Fernando to begin the NBA’s 2022-23 NBA regular season. He was considered the odd man out heading into training camp with second-year players Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba set to take over the minutes available with the departure of former center Christian Wood who was traded to Dallas in the offseason.

Yet, he overcame those odds and did what he does best, proving that he belongs on an NBA roster. So, when training camp began, Fernando did everything he needed to show Rockets head coach Stephen Silas that he deserved to be on the court and proved to management that he was worthy of being signed to a contract.

Both things happened to Fernando. Houston signed him to a four-year, $10.9 million contract before the season started, and when the Rockets took the floor against the Atlanta Hawks for their first regular-season game, he heard his name called as the starting center.

Things were going well for Fernando as he finished with 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He brought the energy and defense the team needed, even though they lost to the Hawks that night.

His first game was something Houston could build off of and have a one-two punch at center with Fernando and Sengun, but in his second game of action against the Memphis Grizzlies, Fernando went down in the first half with a left knee injury. He missed the next 15 games, but after going through an extensive rehabilitation regimen with assistant coach John Lucas, Fernando is ready to get back on the court.

“I feel great,” Fernando said on Wednesday after practice. “It has been a long time coming but I feel good.”

Even though he has not been given a definite answer on when he will return to the lineup, Fernando is optimistic that it could be very soon.

“Hopefully soon,” Fernando said when asked about his return. “I feel like it has kind of already happened, since I am practicing. I have no idea. I guess that is something that they are going to talk to me about today or tomorrow.”

Suppose Fernando does return on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. In that case, he won’t be returning to his starting position, as he will be on a minutes restriction and considering the play of Sengun, who is averaging 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds as the starter.

The backup minutes are also being dominated by Garuba, who has brought the same defense and energy that Fernando does.

One way that Silas could utilize the skill sets of all three of his big men is to have two on the court together in spurts during the game, which Fernando welcomes.

“We will be able to work with each other,” Fernando said regarding the possibility of playing with another center on the court. “Al-P (Sengun) does a good job of setting screens and popping and for me to be another big out there that set the screen and rolls to the rim and brings the different scene, that is going to open a lot more space for our shooters on the court. Usman has been shooting the ball really well. It would open up the court for our guards and shooters.”

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Bruno Fernando nears return; Rockets open to playing Usman Garuba at forward

With big man Bruno Fernando on the verge of a return, #Rockets coach Stephen Silas is indicating a willingness to play Usman Garuba at power forward.

Bruno Fernando began the 2022-23 season as Houston’s starting center, but he played less than two full games for the Rockets before going down with left knee tendinitis. That cost him more than a month, and it led to second-year center Alperen Sengun becoming the starter and Usman Garuba the backup.

Now, it appears Fernando is ready to return after he participated in Tuesday’s practice at Toyota Center. While it’s unclear whether Fernando will regain his previous role in the starting lineup, the reality is it’s tough to play three centers, and Sengun’s development makes his minutes a clear priority.

So, if Fernando plays, would that squeeze out promising second-year big man Usman Garuba, who has had a strong run of games in recent weeks? Not necessarily. Per Jackson Gatlin of Locked on Rockets, head coach Stephen Silas said at Tuesday’s practice that Garuba at power forward is a possibility in the games ahead.

It should be noted, however, that there’s no easy solution. If Garuba plays at power forward, that could eat into the available minutes for a reserve forward KJ Martin or rookie Tari Eason. Both Martin and Eason have played well in recent games. There’s also the matter of eventually finding room in the rotation for veteran forward Jae’Sean Tate, who has missed most of the season with ankle issues.

Whatever the case, we could find out Silas’ initial plan for reintegrating Fernando when Houston returns to action on Friday night at home versus Atlanta. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.

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Usman Garuba focused on bringing energy, intensity to Rockets

“I just played with energy and intensity,” #Rockets center Usman Garuba says. “I tried to make the right plays on the offensive and defensive end, also. That is how we play.”

DALLAS — With just under four minutes left in the second quarter, the Houston Rockets looked as if they were stuck in the mud against the Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The offense had become very predictable, and the defense looked out of sync as the Mavericks led the Rockets, 51-42.

Just when it looked like Houston would go into the half trailing Dallas, one Rockets player took on the challenge of not letting his team slip back into the 2021-2 mindset of allowing opponents to increase their leads on Houston due to a lack of effort.

Second-year backup center Usman Garuba provided the spark the Rockets needed to jumpstart the offense by scoring eight consecutive points in a 15-0 run by Houston to end the half.

“I just played with energy and intensity,” Garuba told reporters. “I just tried to make the right plays on the offensive and defensive end also. That is how we play.”

Garuba finished the game with a career-high 12 points and added nine rebounds as the Rockets defeated the Mavericks, 101-92. He also tied his career high in assists (three) and added three blocked shots to Houston’s season-high total of 19 as a team.

When Garuba was informed that the team had come up one block short of tying the franchise mark of 20 that was set on the same date back in 1984, he had a very enthusiastic response.

“19 blocks, that’s crazy,” Garuba said in the visiting locker room. “That was effort. We want to win games. Of course, we haven’t won as much as we want, but we are playing hard and that is what we need.”

After having such a significant impact on the game, Garuba was greeted with “MVP” chants during his postgame workout by teammate Bruno Fernando. The 20-year-old flashed a massive smile as he continued his training.

Rockets head coach Stephen Silas acknowledged his team’s overall performance against the Mavericks and knew his team could play the type of basketball he watched to end the second quarter.

“It is the fighting through adversity that I keep talking about,” Silas said. “It is when we get down and fighting back. It is our young guys learning what it takes to put a game together. Going on a big run like that, helps you with your halftime speech.”

Houston is back in action on Friday at Toyota Center as they take on the visiting Indiana Pacers. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

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Rockets injury news: Alperen Sengun returns, Bruno Fernando out for weeks

Alperen Sengun (illness) has rejoined the Rockets after missing two games, but fellow center Bruno Fernando is reportedly set to miss another two-to-three weeks.

The good news for the Houston Rockets, who started a light lineup in their previous two games with 6-foot-11, 213-pound rookie Jabari Smith Jr. at center, is more bulk is on the way.

Second-year center Alperen Sengun, who typically comes off the bench but plays more minutes in the middle than any other Rockets player, rejoined the team at Friday’s shootaround in Portland and is listed as probable for Friday night’s game. Sengun, who averages 15.7 points (58.1% FG) and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes, had missed Houston’s prior two contests with an illness.

However, the Rockets (1-4) are without fourth-year center Bruno Fernando — who left a game on Oct. 21 versus Memphis early with knee soreness — for two or three more weeks due to left patellar tendinosis, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Fernando had started Houston’s first two games of the 2022-23 regular season at center.

Like Sengun, point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is also listed as probable to play on Friday in Portland. He bruised his right quad late in Wednesday’s game at Utah after a collision with Jordan Clarkson.

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Bruno Fernando out indefinitely with knee injury; Rockets start Jabari Smith Jr. at center

With Bruno Fernando sidelined for the time being, the Rockets are experimenting with a smaller lineup featuring rookie Jabari Smith Jr. at center.

Bruno Fernando, who bucked the odds to become Houston’s starting center entering the 2022-23 regular season, is out indefinitely after injuring his left knee in the first half of the Rockets-Grizzlies home opener on Friday night.

In comments ahead of Monday’s game against Utah, head coach Stephen Silas indicated forward Jae’Sean Tate, who has not played in the regular season due to left ankle soreness, is closer to returning than either Fernando or rookie guard TyTy Washington. Each is dealing with knee sprains.

“Tate’s probably the soonest, whether it’s the next game or the game after,” Silas said. “Bruno and TyTy are slowly coming along.”

Alperen Sengun is next on the depth chart at center behind Fernando, but the Rockets appear determined to keep him in a sixth-man role, where it is easier for him to get post touches than if he was starting alongside Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green.

The Rockets started Usman Garuba in Saturday’s loss at Milwaukee, effectively placing him into Fernando’s spot while keeping Sengun’s role constant. But with Fernando’s absence appearing to be a longer-term issue, the Rockets pivoted to a smaller lineup Monday versus Utah. Rookie Jabari Smith Jr. moved to center and Eric Gordon and KJ Martin started as Houston’s forwards.

At 6-foot-11, Smith has the height to play in the middle, though his slender 213-pound frame is lighter than nearly all big men. At the forward spots, the 6-foot-3 Gordon and 6-foot-7 Martin are relatively undersized, though Gordon has the type of physical frame and bulk (unlike Smith) that could allow him to make up for a lack of height.

Sengun did not play Monday due to an illness. Garuba is healthy, so if the smaller, more agile lineups featuring Smith do not prove successful, the Rockets could pivot back to the Garuba configuration in future games, if needed. Tate could also factor into the mix once he makes his 2022-23 debut later this week.

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Full Houston Rockets 17-player payroll for 2022-23 NBA season

Now that Houston’s roster is set for the 2022-23 regular season, here’s an updated look at what each #Rockets player will make financially this season.

The Houston Rockets remain one of the youngest teams in the NBA. Yet, entering what is considered by most as the third season of a franchise rebuild, clear signs of optimism are emerging.

The optimism starts with second-year guard Jalen Green, who looks to have picked up where he left off in his dynamic 2021-22 rookie season. In case you forgot, that’s when he finished with an historic scoring burst that led to a spot on the league’s All-Rookie first team.

There’s also Jabari Smith Jr., selected by Houston at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft. For Smith, this season offers an opportunity to justify that lofty draft placement and show his potential as a future franchise cornerstone alongside Green.

Combine that duo with promising young players like Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, KJ Martin and recently extended guard Kevin Porter Jr., and it’s easy to see the reasons for optimism. That youth is also why the Rockets are a relatively inexpensive team, particularly if excluding dead money in the form of former players (i.e. John Wall).

With that in mind, here is the full Rockets roster and salaries entering the 2022-23 regular season. This version reflects all moves made to trim from Houston’s 20-man roster at training camp to the NBA’s limit of 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals for the season, such as the recent waiving of veteran big man Derrick Favors.

This list is sorted in ascending order from least to most, financially, during the 2022-23 season, according to HoopsHype salary data. Any potential future earnings for each Rockets player as part of his current contract are noted beneath each photo.

Takeaways: Ja Morant, Jalen Green duel as Grizzlies rally past Rockets

Jalen Green (33 points) and Alperen Sengun (23 points, 12 rebounds) played well, but they couldn’t quite match Ja Morant (49 points, 8 assists) in Friday’s home opener for the Rockets.

HOUSTON — Jalen Green (33 points) and Alperen Sengun (23 points, 12 rebounds) played well at home, but they couldn’t match Ja Morant (49 points, 8 assists) as the Memphis Grizzlies rallied past the Rockets on Friday night at Toyota Center, 129-122 (box score).

The young and rebuilding Rockets (0-2) had a sold-out crowd for their home opener and fed off that energy for much of the game, scoring 70 points in the first half alone. But the Grizzlies (2-0), who finished with the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last season, took over late with a commanding 34-22 showing in the fourth quarter.

Morant, a perennial All-Star connected on 17-of-26 shots (65.4%) from the field, shooting 5-of-6 on 3-pointers (83.3%) and 10-of-13 from the free-throw line (76.9%). John Konchar added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%), including 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

Green connected on 13-of-21 shots (61.9%) for the Rockets and Sengun went 9-of-13 (69.2%), though the big man made just 4-of-10 free throws (40.0%). Sengun played 27 minutes after starting center Bruno Fernando left early in the second half with left knee soreness.

Kevin Porter Jr. added 18 points and 5 rebounds for the Rockets, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%). Eric Gordon had 17 points and 4 assists, and he made 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%).

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. The Rockets return to action Saturday for night two of a split back-to-back in Milwaukee, with the tip set for 7 p.m. Central.

Podcast: Will Jalen Green be a winning player? Matt Moore dives in

Will Jalen Green be a winning player for the Rockets? @HPBasketball explains his recent take. Other topics include Kevin Porter Jr.’s contract extension and Alperen Sengun’s bench role.

In Friday’s new episode of “The Lager Line” podcast, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves are joined by The Action Network’s Matt Moore (@HPBasketball on Twitter) to explore this week’s prominent storylines pertaining to the Houston Rockets.

With the 2022-23 regular season underway, what does second-year guard Jalen Green need to do to become an impactful, winning player? On the episode, Moore further explains and adds context to his controversial podcast remarks from last week, along with offering new insight from watching the Rockets on film.

Other discussion topics on the show include Houston’s surprising decision to start Bruno Fernando over Alperen Sengun at center; the ramifications of Kevin Porter Jr.’s unique contract extension; and a potential blueprint for rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. over his career.

Friday’s full episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Bruno Fernando and the 5 most shocking stat lines to start the 2022-23 NBA season

Small sample-size theatre is the best!

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment: It is legitimately so much more fun to overreact than it is to be reasonable.

So now that the 2022-23 NBA regular season has begun, we can look at some of the first games and get way too excited about things that may not mean all that much.

As players get adjusted to a new campaign, it is fairly common for some very wonky stuff to happen within the first few games of the season. While it isn’t likely that some of these hot starts are sustainable, it always enjoyable to take a minute to acknowledge some of those performances.

These could mean nothing, but who knows, maybe they represent some sort of breakout seasons for some of these players as well.