Tag: Devin Booker

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.

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.

Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson show grit as Rockets rally past Suns

One night after struggling massively in the paint, Jabari Smith Jr. (22 points, 16 rebounds) and the Rockets flipped the script in Friday’s gritty win over Phoenix.

HOUSTON — One night after the Rockets were bullied inside in a blowout loss, second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. responded with one of the strongest games of his career in Friday’s 114-110 win (box score) over the visiting Phoenix Suns (33-24). Houston (25-31) is now 20-9 in home games at Toyota Center this season.

Smith finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 steals, representing the first 20-15 game of his young career. Houston, which entered with six losses in its last seven games, recovered from a 22-6 deficit in the game’s early minutes to dramatically turn the tables.

The Rockets connected on 15-of-45 shots from 3-point range (33.3%) on Friday, which proved decisive on a night in which the visiting Suns shot only 7-of-31 from distance (22.6%). Smith (3), Jalen Green (3), and Fred VanVleet (6) led Houston in 3-point makes.

Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each scored 15 points off Houston’s bench, while Thompson added 10 rebounds in his 33 minutes. The rookie duo combined to shoot 11-of-22 overall (50.0%).

Beyond Smith and the rookies, who all contributed on both ends of the court, other standout statistical lines for the Rockets included:

  • VanVleet: 23 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds; 6-of-14 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists; 6-of-15 shooting (40.0%)
  • Green: 14 points, 4 assists; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)

Sengun hit 5-of-6 last-minute free throws (83.3%) to secure the win.

On defense, Thompson was a big factor in limiting Suns star Devin Booker to an inefficient 25 points on 7-of-24 shooting (29.2%), including 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Kevin Durant, also an All-Star, led the visitors with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 10-of-22 (45.5%) — though he hit just 1-of-7 from 3-point range (14.3%).

Bol Bol, a sparingly used 7-foot-3 forward, had the best game of his young career off the Phoenix bench, finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds in 27 minutes while making 11-of-17 shots (64.7%).

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a home-and-home pair of games with Oklahoma City (38-17), with the first coming Sunday in Houston. Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. Central.

2024 NBA All-Star Weekend: The 5 best outfits from the festivities

Players came out to have fun and showcase their own unique style at the 73rd NBA All-Star Game.

The players came out to have fun and showcase their own unique style at the 73rd NBA All-Star Game. Athletes are starting to take advantage and recognize they can offer their fans more than just a one-dimensional version of themselves. They are so much more than athletes, with many of them taking an interest in fashion, charity and entrepreneurship.

All-Star games, game days and press events are all opportunities for fans and media alike to get to know these athletes on a deeper level. This year’s NBA All-Star Weekend did not disappoint, with players like Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat making a classic statement in his black suit with gold accents. And let’s not forget Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics in his hunter green jacket paired perfectly with his cream and rust knit sweater and classic black pants and boots and carrying a piece of Pyramide Bisten Damoflage hand luggage.

See the best looks from the 73rd NBA All-Star Game:

An uncovered Royce O’Neale tweet from 2011 hilariously had Suns fans convinced he’s a perfect fit in Phoenix

He’s officially one of the fellas.

The NBA trade deadline as a whole didn’t see star players make a move, but the Phoenix Suns did add some depth in acquiring Royce O’Neale in a three-team deal with the Grizzlies and Nets.

It turns out that O’Neale is going to fit in just fine with the fellas.

When Devin Booker broke out as a franchise star for the Suns, fans inevitably dove into Booker’s Twitter/X account where they found some delightfully uneventful tweets from his high school days. Back in 2012, Booker tweeted that he was “thinking Hooters tonight with the fellas.” And the rest was history.

Fast forward to Thursday’s trade, and O’Neale was on the same page with Booker back in 2011.

Of course, Suns fans had to check if O’Neale had ever tweeted about Hooters. And they must have been so pumped to see that he in fact did. Suns fans were quick to celebrate the trade based on that tweet alone.

NBA Twitter reacts to Devin Booker’s 46-point game vs. Luka Doncic’s Mavs: ‘Best player rivalry in the league’

Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to Devin Booker’s 46-point night against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.

The Phoenix Suns are currently on a roll. After beating the Mavericks in Dallas 132-109, behind Devin Booker’s 46-point game, they extended their winning streak to seven games.

Book put up 46 points and seven rebounds on a super-efficient 74 percent from the field against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks. He even outscored the Mavs 22-20 in the third quarter alone.

Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to his performance.

7 key takeaways from the first returns on NBA All-Star voting, including one big Devin Booker snub

Devin Booker can’t get any love? Sheesh.

It’s almost that time of year, folks! The NBA All-Star game is creeping up on us. We’re just over a month out from the universal “halfway point” of the NBA season.

With that in mind, the league decided to give us a look at the early returns on NBA All-Star voting this season.

Of course, there were some surprises there. Klay Thompson sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference for guards was pretty shocking considering the season he’s had. Plus, there were more than a few snubs that were a bit confounding.

There are some things you’d absolutely expect, too. LeBron James leading the West is the main thing, of course. Here’s a look, via The Athletic’s Shams Charania. 

Here are five major takeaways that we had from the voting totals so far. Let’s dive in.

Takeaways: Jalen Green snaps slump, but Eric Gordon burns Rockets

Jalen Green snapped his recent slump with 23 points and six 3-pointers, but it couldn’t offset a scorching night by Suns guard Eric Gordon in his return to Houston.

HOUSTON — On the second night of a back to back — and the second game of the longest homestand of the season at Toyota Center — the Rockets (15-14) were no match for the star-studded Phoenix Suns (15-14) in Wednesday’s 129-113 loss (box score).

On this night, Kevin Durant was often a facilitator with 16 assists, and former Rockets guard Eric Gordon (who spent nearly seven seasons with the team) was among the chief beneficiaries. Making his first return visit as a player since being traded last February, Gordon received a tribute video from the Rockets in the opening minutes before quickly showing his old team what they no longer have.

Gordon scored 21 points in the first half, shooting a blistering 8-of-11 from the field (72.5%) and 5-of-8 on 3-pointers (62.5%). That stunning turn-back-the-clock performance by the 35-year-old allowed Phoenix to play from in front, and it coasted to a win. Gordon finished with a season-high 27 points and seven made treys.

Durant had 27 points (56.3% FG) and 10 rebounds to go with those 16 assists, which tied a career high for the future Hall of Famer. Devin Booker, also a frequent All-Star, added 20 points and 7 assists.

Houston’s defense was lethargic, and the absence of veteran wing Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain, return timetable not yet known) was clearly felt. So, too, was the absence of Jabari Smith Jr., who left early due to a left ankle sprain (return timetable also unknown).

Yet, even in defeat, there was a bright spot: Jalen Green. The third-year guard entered shooting a woeful 33.6% overall and 25.4% on 3-pointers in December — but on this night, Green scored 23 points in 26 minutes while making 6-of-12 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

Big man Alperen Sengun finished with a team-high 24 points in 29 minutes, shooting 9-of-18 overall (50%) and 5-of-6 on free throws (83.3%). With injuries mounting, rookie wing Cam Whitmore took advantage of his first NBA rotation minutes and scored 12 points in 18 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 from 3-point range (75%).

Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the homestand continues, next up for Houston is a matchup versus the Philadelphia 76ers (20-9) on Friday night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

Hot mics caught Devin Booker calling out his teammate for terrible defense

Devin Booker was not happy.

During the Suns’ loss against the Mavericks on Christmas, microphones captured a moment of frustration from Phoenix guard Devin Booker.

It was the second half and the Suns were trailing by more than ten points when big man Chimezie Metu committed a turnover. Dallas superstar Luka Doncic recovered the ball for an easy layup in transition to increase the lead for the Mavericks.

Booker tried to chase Doncic for the defensive stop but Metu did not. After the possession, fans could hear Booker chewing out his teammate for a lack of effort.

Here is what it sounded like Booker said to Metu, who finished the game with a career-high 23 points and a career-high 19 rebouds:

“Why aren’t you running back? You the turn the ball over and don’t run back?”

There is no doubt that Metu should have hustled back to try and make the stop on Doncic, especially considering he was the one who committed the initial turnover.

But is this emblematic of a bigger issue facing the team this season?

Opponents have added 2.5 points per 100 possessions through play in transition against Phoenix. That currently ranks No. 15 overall out of the 30 teams in the league, per Cleaning the Glass.

While that is slightly worse than their rate last season, it seems there are more concerning problems plaguing Phoenix.

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