Tag: Cam Whitmore

Report: Cam Whitmore hopes to rejoin Rockets on Sunday versus Dallas

Cam Whitmore (right knee sprain) hopes to return to the Rockets in time for Sunday’s home game versus Dallas, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

After missing nearly three weeks with a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, rookie wing Cam Whitmore hopes to return to the Rockets’ rotation on Sunday versus Dallas, according to Friday’s report by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Whitmore hasn’t played since March 10 in Sacramento.

Houston (37-35) entered Friday with 10 straight wins and a 12-1 record in March (best of any NBA team), yet they still trailed Golden State (38-34) by a game in the race for the final Western Conference postseason spot. Thus, the Rockets need all the help they can get, particularly versus a quality opponent such as the Mavericks (43-29).

According to Feigen, when asked if Whitmore hoped to be cleared in time to face the Mavericks on Sunday, the rookie smiled and said:

Yes, that is my hope. It’s a home game, so we’ll see what happens.

To test the knee, Feigen reports that Whitmore went through strenuous workouts and an intense game with reserves and assistant coaches after Friday’s game-day shootaround in Utah. Once finished, Whitmore reported no pain and felt back to normal.

Drafted at No. 20 in the NBA’s 2023 first round, Whitmore has provided sorely needed scoring punch off Houston’s bench.

An athletic and powerful force at 6 feet, 7 inches and 230 pounds, Whitmore is averaging 14.9 points (45.4% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers) and 4.6 rebounds in just 20.1 minutes over his last 19 games played.

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Rockets’ Ime Udoka: Cam Whitmore likely to return early from injury

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said that Cam Whitmore is close to returning from a sprained right knee.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said Wednesday rookie Cam Whitmore is close to returning from a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

Whitmore sustained the injury on March 10 in a win over the Sacramento Kings. Two days later, Udoka said that Whitmore would likely miss three weeks, but left the door open for him to return early based on his recovery from treatment.

The 20th pick began doing some spot-shooting last week and is now progressing toward returning to contact practice. He has a couple of more hurdles to clear but will likely return before the initial three-week timeline, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Whitmore is averaging 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds on 36.1% shooting from 3-point range in 38 games this season with the Rockets. He has recorded four 20-point games, including a career-high 25 points and six rebounds on Feb. 2.

He started the year in the G League, logging 13 appearances with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He entered the rotation with the Rockets at the start of January and had played in every game, with the exception of three last month due to an ankle injury.

Whitmore has emerged as a key rotation player over the second half of the season. The team is also dealing with injuries to Tari Eason (leg) and Alperen Sengun (ankle) and looks forward to his return.

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Rockets coach Ime Udoka provides injury update on rookie Cam Whitmore

Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Cam Whitmore is progressing in his recovery from a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Saturday that rookie Cam Whitmore is progressing in his recovery from a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

Whitmore began experiencing discomfort in his knee during a win over the Sacramento Kings on March 10. He finished the game, recording 10 points and four rebounds in nearly 20 minutes, before seeking evaluation by the team medical staff afterward.

Udoka said on March 12 that Whitmore would likely miss three weeks. He updated that status on Saturday by saying Whitmore is doing some spot-up shooting and other related on-court work.

Whitmore is averaging 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds on 36.1% shooting from 3-point range in 38 games this season with the Rockets. He has recorded four 20-point games, including a career-high 25 points and six rebounds on Feb. 2.

He started the year in the G League, logging 13 appearances with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He entered the rotation with the Rockets at the start of January and had played in every game, with the exception of three last month due to an ankle injury.

Whitmore has emerged as a key rotation player over the second half of the season. The team is also dealing with injuries to Tari Eason (leg) and Alperen Sengun (ankle) and looks forward to his return.

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Paul George sees potential star in Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore

“He’s a player that I think is going to shake up some things in Houston,” Paul George says of Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore. “I saw stardom on both ends.”

Rockets guard Cam Whitmore, who is sidelined for approximately three weeks by a knee sprain, has already turned heads in Houston and beyond during his rookie season in the NBA.

Drafted 20th in the 2023 first round, Whitmore is averaging 12.1 points (46.4% FG, 36.1% on 3-pointers) and 3.9 rebounds in only 17.8 minutes per game this season. If extrapolated over a larger sample, those are potentially elite numbers — to say the least.

This month, one of Whitmore’s better games came in a nationally televised showdown versus the Los Angeles Clippers, who feature star perimeter players Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden. In 24 minutes off the bench, the 19-year-old prospect out of Villanova poured in 17 points, including three 3-pointers.

George certainly seems to have noticed. In a newly posted episode of “Podcast P with Paul George,” presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, George was asked by a listener about players having great seasons that aren’t being talked about by media members.

George named Whitmore as part of that list. Among his comments, as transcribed by Dave Hardisty of ClutchFans:

I was extremely impressed with his game. He’s a player that is going to shake up some things in Houston and can be a star player. I saw stardom on both ends.

He played hard on both ends. He can shoot it. He can handle. He’s explosive. He was strong. He had a nastiness to him that you don’t really see in a lot of super young guys. He was trying to challenge me. He was challenging Kawhi. He’s a name that I think, because he’s a rookie, hasn’t had much coverage on him, but he will be good.

With George, a nine-time NBA All-Star, playing a key role, the Clippers rallied to win that game versus Whitmore and the Rockets, who were on the second night of a back-to-back.

But Whitmore’s strong showing was a big reason Houston raced to a 20-point lead in the first place, and his athleticism has become a huge part of an improved bench unit for the Rockets.

The complete episode can be listened to below.

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Rockets’ Ime Udoka: Cam Whitmore expected to miss 3 weeks with injury

Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore will likely miss three weeks due to a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

Houston Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore will likely miss three weeks due to a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, head coach Ime Udoka said on Tuesday.

Whitmore began to experience stiffness in his knee on Sunday in a win over the Sacramento Kings. He finished by recording 10 points and four rebounds in nearly 20 minutes of work before seeking evaluation by the team medical staff after the game.

The 20th pick will begin rehabilitation for the injury immediately. Udoka said there is a chance Whitmore could return before the three-week timetable, depending on how his knee responds to the treatment.

Whitmore is averaging 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds on 36.1% shooting from 3-point range in 38 games this season with the Rockets. He has recorded four 20-point games, including a career-high 25 points and six rebounds on Feb. 2.

He started the year in the G League, logging 13 appearances with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He entered the rotation with the Rockets at the start of January and has played in every game, with the exception of three last month due to an ankle injury.

Whitmore has emerged as a key rotation player over the second half of the season. The team is also dealing with injuries to Tari Eason (leg) and Alperen Sengun (ankle) and will be further short-handed with its latest setback with Whitmore.

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Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore to miss weeks with LCL sprain in right knee

Promising rookie Cam Whitmore sprained the LCL in his right knee, according to the Rockets, and could miss about three weeks of action.

Despite Houston’s impressive 4-1 record in March, the relatively serious injuries suffered by Alperen Sengun (severe right ankle sprain) and Tari Eason (left tibia surgery) have dominated headlines.

Add one more name to a growing list of injured Rockets.

Rookie wing Cam Whitmore missed Tuesday’s game in San Antonio with a sprain to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee. The team expects Whitmore to miss about three weeks of action, though head coach Ime Udoka said Tuesday it could be a shorter timetable, depending on how Whitmore’s knee responds.

Veteran wing Reggie Bullock Jr., who has played sparingly this season, could be next in line to fill some of Whitmore’s minutes. Another candidate for that role could be Nate Williams.

Drafted at No. 20 in the NBA’s 2023 first round, Whitmore has provided sorely needed scoring punch off Houston’s bench.

An athletic and powerful force at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, Whitmore is averaging 14.9 points (45.4% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers) and 4.6 rebounds in just 20.1 minutes over his last 19 games played.

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Led by Ime Udoka, Rockets show physical, mental toughness in battles versus Suns

“It was good to see that fight and physicality,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said after Saturday’s win in Phoenix. “It was obviously night and day from the last game.”

PHOENIX — In an odd scheduling quirk with created three games against the same opponent in a nine-game span, the Houston Rockets had their mental and physical abilities challenged by the Suns. There was consistent trash talk from All-Star guard Devin Booker, whose words are almost as verbally abusive as his physical style of play.

Yet, the one thing the Suns may not have considered is this isn’t the same Rockets team from previous years. Those teams might have let Phoenix get away with some of those on-court bullying antics, which are meant to get inside the heads of opposing players and throw them off. However, this veteran-led Houston team quickly adopted a mindset and culture that no one would bully it.

Over those three games, Houston went 2-1 versus a high-powered offense led by Booker and Kevin Durant, and a Suns team (35-25) that ranks sixth in the Western Conference standings. More importantly, Saturday’s win broke a nine-game road losing streak.

“I like the fight; I like the intensity,” said Rockets guard Fred VanVleet. “We are a young team, and we have to use that energy to our advantage, and we are not getting punked by anybody, so that is definitely not going to happen. We bring that fight. If things get chippy, that means that both teams are playing hard.”

The back-and-forth between the two teams started last week in Houston when rookie Cam Whitmore and Booker engaged in a small skirmish that had been building throughout the game as both players took opportunities to exchange words up and down the court. One week later, the bad blood boiled over in Phoenix when the two engaged in another heated exchange during Thursday’s fourth quarter.

“I like it,” Booker said of Whitmore’s approach after the second incident. “I’ve been in these situations plenty of times before. I was that same, young player doing that same thing. I remember doing it to Jimmy Butler my rookie year, him going in the postgame talking about me. You never want to back down, and I respect going at a top player. You just gotta be ready for it.”

On Saturday, the Suns were back to their bullying tactics, with veteran guard Bradley Beal seeming to follow his teammates’ lead. This time, he was quickly ejected after getting into a shoving match with Houston’s Jalen Green, who was giving the Suns fits on his way to a second straight 34-point scoring outburst.

One game after Houston had its worst shooting performance of the season (33.7% FG) — and trailed by 16 points in the first quarter — they took control of Saturday’s game early by scoring 38 points in the first quarter. That set the tone for the remainder of the night.

“It was good to see that fight and physicality,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said postgame. “I think we had that from the start. It was obviously night and day from the last game, when we got off to a poor start. Tonight, we kind of jumped on them, and they had to struggle to come back. Everything they threw, we took it and made big plays when we had to. I loved our physicality and aggressiveness and throwing bodies around.”

Houston (26-34) goes home for a quick back-to-back against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday before heading back on the road this weekend.

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Suns star Devin Booker reacts to heated confrontations with Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore

“Just competing, extra physical,” Suns star Devin Booker says of his confrontation with Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore. “I respect going at a top player.”

For the second time in a week, Houston Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore and veteran Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker had a heated on-court exchange during Thursday’s game.

In the latest example, which occurred during the fourth quarter, both players were given a technical foul. Neither was ejected.

Booker spoke to media members postgame, since he was the game’s high scorer (35 points), and addressed what looked to be a heated situation. Whitmore, who plays off the bench for Houston, typically does not speak postgame with reporters, given his smaller role.

Here’s how Booker characterized the incidents with Whitmore, as relayed by Cody Taylor of Rookie Wire:

It started last game [on Feb. 23] in Houston). Just competing, extra physical. I like it. I’ve been in these situations plenty of times before. I was that same, young player doing that same thing.

I remember doing it to Jimmy Butler my rookie year, him going in the postgame talking about me. You never want to back down and I respect going at a top player. You just gotta be ready for it.

Read on for videos and interviews related to the growing rivalry.

All eyes will be on Booker and Whitmore during Saturday’s rematch, which is the fourth and final meeting between the Rockets and Suns in the 2023-24 NBA season. Tipoff is at 8:00 p.m. Central.

Suns’ Devin Booker recalled trash-talking Jimmy Butler as a rookie

After getting into a heated back-and-forth with Rockets forward Cam Whitmore, Devin Booker recalled a similar situation as a rookie.

After getting into a heated back-and-forth with Houston Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore, Devin Booker recalled a similar situation when he was in his rookie year with the Phoenix Suns.

The situation unfolded in the fourth quarter on Thursday as Booker and the Suns hosted Whitmore and the Rockets. The two players had been jawing back and forth throughout the game before it came to a head in the last period.

Booker hit a 3-pointer to put the Suns up by nine points and then appeared to bump into Whitmore after the play. They exchanged words and were eventually separated and issued technical fouls. The situation didn’t escalate further.

“It started last game (on Feb. 23 in Houston),” Booker said of the incident. “Just competing, extra physical. I like it. I’ve been in these situations plenty of times before. I was that same, young player doing that same thing.”

Booker produced 35 points, seven rebounds and three assists to lead the Suns to the 110-105 victory. Whitmore had 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Rockets, who have lost 11 out of their last 14 games against the Suns.

The altercation reminded Booker of a similar situation during his rookie year in the 2015-16 season in his first game against All-Star Jimmy Butler, who was with the Chicago Bulls at the time.

He remembered going at him and talking trash in that matchup.

“I remember doing it to Jimmy Butler my rookie year, him going in the postgame talking about me,” Booker said. “You never want to back down and I respect going at a top player. You just gotta be ready for it.”

Booker finished with six points, two blocks and one rebound in a loss against Butler and the Bulls on Nov. 18, 2015. Butler had a game-high 32 points and six rebounds and was asked about Booker afterward, which Booker referenced.

Booker has often been described as one of the most competitive players in the league. He certainly demonstrated that battling against Butler as a rookie and has seemingly continued it each time he has taken the court in the years since then.

After facing the Rockets on Thursday, the two teams will meet again on Saturday in Phoenix. Given how their last few matchups have gone, the contest should be worth watching.

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Takeaways: Jalen Green drops 34 points, but Rockets lack support in Phoenix

Jalen Green led the way with 34 points and a season-high seven 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to win on the road versus Devin Booker (35 points) and the Suns.

In the first of two straight games in the same building between the same teams, the Rockets couldn’t recapture their home form in Thursday’s 110-105 loss (box score) to the Phoenix Suns. With the loss, Houston (25-34) drops to a woeful 5-24 on the road this season.

Tari Eason remained sidelined with a lower left leg injury, and it appears quite possible that it could end his 2023-24 season. Bradley Beal and Eric Gordon were out with minor injuries for Phoenix.

The Suns lost in Houston last Friday, but led by Devin Booker, it was a very different story in Phoenix (35-24). The All-Star guard finished with a game-high 35 points on Thursday while shooting 13-of-27 from the field (48.1%), including 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%).

Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets, finishing with a team-high 34 points and 5 rebounds. Green’s shot faded as the game progressed and he shot just 10-of-27 (37.0%), though he did make 7-of-17 from 3-point range (41.2%) and all seven of his free-throw attempts.

But on the offensive end of the court, Green didn’t have enough help, and particularly not from distance. Other notable lines included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; 6-of-16 shooting (37.5%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 16 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 6 points, 8 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 0-of-6 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 6 fouls, ejected; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 14 points, 8 rebounds; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 0-of-5 on 3-pointers

As a team, the Rockets connected on just 33-of-99 shots (33.3%) and 11-of-45 from 3-point range (24.4%) on Thursday night.

On the positive side, Houston went +12 in 10 minutes with backup center Jock Landale, who tallied 8 points (50% FG) and 6 rebounds.

Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Saturday’s rematch from Footprint Center is up next, with the tip at 8 p.m. Central.