Tag: Jabari Smith Jr.

Takeaways: In pivotal game, Alperen Sengun’s career night lifts Rockets over Jazz

In a game with potentially large standings implications, Alperen Sengun tied his career high with 37 points as Houston rallied past Utah in overtime.

HOUSTON — In a game with potentially significant standings implications, Rockets center Alperen Sengun led the way with a career-high-tying 37 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists in Saturday’s thrilling 127-126 overtime win (box score) over the Jazz. A rising All-Star candidate, Sengun made 15-of-26 shots (57.7%) for the game, often while facing strong defense from Utah’s Walker Kessler.

With Saturday’s result in, Houston (20-21) and Utah (22-22) are currently separated by a half-game in an extremely tight race for the final two play-in tournament spots in the Western Conference.

Sengun and rookie Amen Thompson each had a key late block for the Rockets, who played the final two minutes of regulation and overtime without Fred VanVleet, who fouled out. Houston’s veteran floor general finished with 18 points and 7 assists.

Jabari Smith Jr. had 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%). Smith’s free throw in the final minute of overtime was the decisive point, though it came at a cost, since he subsequently limped off with a sprained left ankle (which occurred on the foul leading to free throws).

Fellow rookie Cam Whitmore was impressive with 17 points and 5 rebounds in 27 reserve minute, shooting 4-of-6 from 3-point range (66.7%). That helped Houston survive another off night from starter Jalen Green, who had 7 points while missing all six of his 3-pointers.

The Jazz were led by veteran guards Jordan Clarkson (33 points) and Collin Sexton (28 points). But despite combining to score 61, each missed a close shot in the final 40 seconds of overtime that could have put Utah in front. The Jazz had won 12 of their previous 15 games going in, while the Rockets were coming off a 1-5 road trip.

Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Toyota Center, along with reaction by media members and fans. Houston continues its homestand with night two of a back-to-back on Sunday versus Boston (32-10), with tipoff at 6:00 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Defensive slide continues as Sixers star Joel Embiid blasts Rockets

In his return from injury, reigning MVP Joel Embiid was outstanding (41 points, 10 rebounds) and vastly outplayed Alperen Sengun. It led to a blowout Sixers win.

The road woes continued for the Rockets in Monday afternoon’s 124-115 loss (box score) to the Philadelphia 76ers (25-13). With the latest defeat, Houston (19-20) is 1-4 on its six-game road trip and a ghastly 4-14 away from home this season.

Ime Udoka’s Rockets find themselves below .500 for only the second time since Nov. 6 — and they’re just a half-game ahead of the Lakers (19-21) for 10th in the Western Conference standings, which represents the final play-in tournament spot.

In Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee, Sixers star Joel Embiid returned from a knee injury and quickly showed why he’s the reigning NBA MVP. In 31 minutes, Embiid dominated with 41 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 12-of-21 overall (57.1%) and making 16-of-17 from the free-throw line (94.1%).

“We have to be physical without fouling,” Udoka said postgame. “We were undisciplined there. We know he’s a guy that’s gonna swipe.”

“The things we talked about, we didn’t really execute on that end, defensively,” Udoka said. “We wanna be physical without fouling and when they were in the bonus, we gave them some easy shots or some questionable calls with the sweep through and all that.”

Rising star Tyrese Maxey added 27 points and 7 assists at point guard while making 6-of-10 from 3-point range (60%).

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, but his five first-quarter turnovers helped put Houston in an early hole it never came close to digging itself out of.

Houston’s other statistical standouts included:

  • Dillon Brooks: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 13 points, 7 rebounds; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%)
  • Jalen Green: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; 7-of-16 shooting (43.8%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%), 5-of-7 on free throws (71.4%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 14 points, 6 rebounds in 23 minutes; 6-of-12 shooting (50%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)
  • Amen Thompson: 14 points, 3 rebounds in 19 minutes; 7-of-8 shooting (87.5%)

Tari Eason remains sidelined by a lower left leg injury, which traces back to a stress reaction in the 2023-24 preseason. His playing status will be re-evaluated when the team returns home later this week.

Eason’s absence has certainly harmed Houston’s increasingly leaky defense. After ranking as high as second in net defensive rating earlier this season, the Rockets are eighth among the NBA’s 30 teams, and 19th in nine January games. For the season, Houston remains winless when giving up at least 120 points, and it has allowed that in all four losses on this road trip.

Here’s our look at Monday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Philadelphia, along with reaction by media members and fans.

Houston finishes its increasingly miserable road trip on Wednesday at New York (23-17), where the tip is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Fred VanVleet rescues Rockets with late heroics in Detroit

The Rockets stayed above .500 thanks largely to Fred VanVleet, who had 12 fourth-quarter points and made crucial plays late to thwart Detroit’s upset bid.

Two nights after overtime heartbreak in Chicago, there seemed to be something of a hangover for the Rockets in Detroit. But thanks to veteran guard Fred VanVleet, Houston (19-18) rallied late in Friday’s 112-110 victory (box score) over the lowly Pistons (3-36).

VanVleet had 20 points (46.7% FG), 12 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. That total included 12 fourth-quarter points and a crucial dime to Alperen Sengun as Houston overcame multiple double-digit deficits. Sengun finished with a game-high 29 points, shooting 12-of-19 (63.2%) from the field and an improved 5-of-7 on free throws (71.4%).

Jalen Green scored 28 points, though he shot just 9-of-25 overall (36.0%) and 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%). Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds on 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), and he also had 2 blocks and several critical defensive plays to secure the win.

Second-year guard Jaden Ivey led the Pistons with 18 points and 8 assists, but he shot just 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%) — including a last-second heave that spun out. Houston finished the game on a 10-3 run.

The Rockets were again short-handed on Friday night, with Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) still sidelined. Cade Cunningham (left knee strain) and Bojan Bogdanovic (left calf soreness) were out for Detroit.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Houston continues its road trip Saturday in Boston (29-9), where tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Alperen Sengun’s heroics for naught as Bulls edge Rockets late

Rockets center Alperen Sengun was magnificent in the fourth quarter and overtime, but Chicago finished on a 10-0 run to deal Houston a gut-punch loss.

The Rockets (18-18) have opened their longest road trip of the season (six games) with two straight losses with Wednesday’s 124-119 overtime setback (box score) versus the Chicago Bulls (18-21).

The Bulls had one of their best nights of the 2023-24 season on 3-pointers, making 19-of-47 from distance (40.4%). Point guard Coby White led the way with 30 points and 8 assists, and he hit 6-of-11 from beyond the arc (54.5%). Going into the game, Chicago ranked among the NBA’s bottom 10 teams in both 3-point makes and accuracy.

Houston shot 11-of-45 on 3-pointers (24.4%), headlined by an unusually cold 3-of-14 night (21.4%) by Fred VanVleet. For the Rockets, it was an exhausting, gut-punch loss after rallying back from a double-digit deficit late in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

After a scoreless first half, Alperen Sengun was breathtaking with 25 points on 11-of-19 shooting (57.9%). He dished 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and Sengun’s flurry late in the fourth quarter and at the start of overtime gave the Rockets a 5-point lead with less than three minutes left to play.

But Houston was outscored 10-0 to finish overtime, and Sengun didn’t get a shot attempt on either of the next two possessions as Chicago grabbed a lead the home team wouldn’t relinquish.

Other Rockets in double figures included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 20 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 18 points, 15 rebounds; 7-of-14 shooting (50%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers
  • Cam Whitmore: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals; 6-of-12 shooting (50%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)
  • Jalen Green: 18 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds; 8-of-19 shooting (42.1%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)

The Rockets were again short-handed, with Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) still sidelined.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Houston continues its road trip Friday in Detroit (3-35), where the tip is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.

Reaction: Heat cool off Rockets as Bam Adebayo, Alperen Sengun duel

Star centers Bam Adebayo and Alperen Sengun each played well, but Miami had more shooting help in the second half of Monday’s win over the Rockets.

Led by a barrage of 3-point shooting, Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat (21-15) cooled off the Rockets on Monday night as Houston (18-17) kicked off its six-game Eastern Conference road trip. The Rockets entered with three wins in their last four games, including a statement victory, Saturday’s upset of Milwaukee.

Herro led the Heat with an efficient 28 points in the 120-113 win (box score). He shot 10-of-20 overall and 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50%).

As a team, Miami made 15-of-36 shots from 3-point range (41.7%). The Rockets countered by shooting a respectable 14-of-41 from distance (34.1%), though 10 of those makes came in the first half, which finished tied. As Houston’s shooting slipped, Miami built its lead.

It was another solid night for reigning Western Conference Player of the Week Alperen Sengun, who had a tough matchup versus physical Miami center Bam Adebayo and the notoriously disciplined defense of longtime coach Erik Spoelstra. Even so, Sengun finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds on 9-of-15 shooting (60%). He had issues with foul trouble and fouled out late. He also committed three turnovers. The combination limited his minutes and effect on the game’s early stages.

On the other side, Adebayo was excellent with 21 points and 12 rebounds, making 9-of-12 shots (75.0%). Like Sengun, he also encountered some difficulty with four fouls over his 32 minutes.

Houston stayed within relative striking distance thanks to a hot-shooting night by Fred VanVleet, who had a team-high 32 points and 7 assists while making 7-of-14 from 3-point range (50.0%).

Outside of VanVleet and Sengun, it was a relatively cold-shooting night for the Rockets. Other players in double figures included:

  • Jalen Green: 11 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds; 2-of-10 shooting (20%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25%), 5-of-6 on free throws (83.3%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 10 points, 6 rebounds; 3-of-12 shooting (25%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 11 points, 6 rebounds in 17 minutes; 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50%)

The Rockets were short-handed. Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) remained sidelined, while the Heat were without Jimmy Butler due to a foot injury.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Houston continues its road trip in Chicago (17-21) on Wednesday. The tip is at 7 p.m. Central.

Rockets see Jabari Smith Jr. becoming more well-rounded player

Rockets coach Ime Udoka on Jabari Smith Jr.’s growth: “The offensive glass has been the biggest improvement. It’s that mentality of going after it every time.”

Though he is just 20 years old, second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. has played a key role in several marquee victories for the Houston Rockets (18-16) in the 2023-24 NBA season.

One of those came Saturday, when Smith had 14 points and 12 rebounds in a team-high 40 minutes during Houston’s upset victory over perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Defensively, Smith’s ability to defend Khris Middleton and Antetokounmpo was crucial because forwards Tari Eason and Dillon Brooks were sidelined by injury.

In a newly released interview, Udoka was asked about Smith’s Year 2 progress by Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network, the team’s regional television partner for game broadcasts.

Regarding Smith’s areas of growth, Udoka said:

All-around game, and confidence. It’s not just spotting up, or sitting in the corner and relying on jump shots only.

The defensive versatility that he brings has really impacted our group in a great way. Offensively, he’s finding different ways to get it done. Off ball and spot-up shooting is a huge asset for him, but we want him to post up and find his mid-range shots, where he can rise up over guys.

The offensive glass (rebounding) has been the biggest improvement in the last month for him. It’s that mentality of going after it every time. He’s starting to make reads and handle [the ball], and make plays for other guys. The goal for everybody is to be well-rounded so that we don’t have to rely on any one person. It’s a true team aspect.

We see growth from all of our guys, and Jabari has taken a step, as well.

The complete Udoka interview can be viewed below.

For the 2023-24 season to date, Smith entered Monday averaging 13.4 points (48.2% FG, 39.0% on 3-pointers, 81.8% on free throws) and 8.7 rebounds in 30.8 minutes per game.

All are improvements from his 2022-23 rookie campaign.

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Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. sparks Rockets in upset win over Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo

Jabari Smith Jr. (14 points, 12 rebounds, game-high 40 minutes) sparked the short-handed Rockets in an upset win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

HOUSTON — One night after a loss that head coach Ime Udoka called perhaps their worst of the 2023-24 season to date, the Rockets responded with one of their best efforts in Saturday’s 112-108 win (box score) over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center.

It was the seventh and final game of a season-long homestand for the Rockets, who improved to 18-16 despite not having two rotation regulars in Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness). Milwaukee, which lost despite 48 points by perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, fell to 25-11.

Jabari Smith Jr. played a game-high 40 minutes for the Rockets and had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals, making for one of his best efforts in weeks. Smith hit 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%), including a dagger with under two minutes left to seal the win.

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets in scoring with 21 points, though he was limited by the Bucks to 7-of-21 shooting (33.3%). Sengun also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.

On a balanced night, other Houston players in double figures were:

  • Jalen Green: 16 points, 4 rebounds; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 5-of-5 on free throws
  • Jeff Green: 16 points in 34 minutes; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%), 4-of-5 on free throws
  • Fred VanVleet: 14 points, 7 assists, 2 steals; 4-of-13 shooting (30.8%), 3-of-10 on 3-pointers (30.0%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 12 points, 3 rebounds in 13 minutes; 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 3-of-3 on free throws
  • Aaron Holiday: 11 points in 21 minutes; 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%)

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the homestand complete, Houston will now begin a six-game Eastern Conference road trip, which starts Monday at Miami (20-15). Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. Central.

Bleacher Report ranks key Rockets among NBA’s top under-22 players

Bleacher Report’s latest ranking of the NBA’s best under-22 prospects includes both Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. in the top six. #Rockets

The Houston Rockets and their fans have increasingly touted the value of their young core of prospects selected in the first round of recent NBA drafts, and many around the league are taking notice.

In a new ranking by Dan Favale and Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, the Rockets are well represented in a “22 under 22” ranking of the best NBA prospects under the age of 22 years old.

Here’s a look at the criteria, via Bleacher Report:

Settling on this ranking requires some loose criteria. First and foremost, players must be in their age-21-or-younger season to meet the under-22 inclusion bar. This means anyone who is already 22 or will be 22 before Jan. 31 does not appear here.

Performances from this season have shaped our initial impressions and carry tons of weight. But this is not a batch of in-the-moment rankings.

Instead, view our pecking order through the lens of “Who should you want on your team for the rest of their career?”

Here’s where members of Houston’s young core stood on that list, which can be viewed in its entirety at Bleacher Report. (Not surprisingly, spoiler, No. 1 is San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama.)

Takeaways: Rockets blast Pistons as Alperen Sengun leads third-quarter explosion

Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green led the way with a dominant 47-25 third quarter, and that allowed Houston to cruise to Monday’s victory versus Detroit.

HOUSTON — At the midpoint of a seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, at Toyota Center, Alperen Sengun and the Rockets (16-15) finally returned to their winning ways with Monday’s 136-113 blowout victory (box score) over the lowly Detroit Pistons (3-30).

After leading by only four points at halftime, the Rockets blew the game open with a dominant 47-25 third quarter and ended a three-game losing streak. A fourth foul on Detroit’s Jalen Duren (12 points, 13 rebounds in 22 minutes) proved critical. Sengun quickly feasted against backup center James Wiseman.

In all, Sengun needed only 27 minutes to record a team-high 26 points and 9 assists. He shot 9-of-13 from the field (69.2%) and 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%). Many of those assists went to fellow third-year prospect Jalen Green, who scored 22 points while making 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%).

Other Houston players to score in double figures were:

  • Fred VanVleet: 15 points, 7 assists, 0 turnovers; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-10 shooting (50%)
  • Tari Eason: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%)

On a themed “Twin Night” at Toyota Center, Monday’s New Year’s Day clash was the first NBA meeting between Houston’s Amen Thompson and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, his twin brother. Both rookies were drafted in the top five of the 2023 first round, and Amen had one of his strongest games yet — finishing with a career-high 12 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals in 28 minutes. Thompson made 5-of-6 shots (83.3%), including his lone 3-point attempt.

Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) again sat out for the Rockets, while Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) returned from injury to add 9 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 from 3-point range (75.0%). Brooks remains day-to-day.

Here’s our look at Monday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and joyous fans. As Houston’s seven-game homestand continues, Game 5 comes Wednesday versus the Brooklyn Nets (15-18). The tip is at 7 p.m. Central.

Jabari Smith Jr. rejoins Rockets after missing one game with left ankle sprain

In a very welcome development, Jabari Smith Jr. is back in Houston’s starting lineup after missing only one game with a left ankle sprain.

The injury looked concerning at the time, but second-year Houston Rockets prospect Jabari Smith Jr. is back in the starting lineup at power forward after missing just one game with a left ankle sprain.

It’s a welcome development for head coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets, who were already down one starting forward after losing Dillon Brooks a game earlier to a right oblique strain.

“The severity of it obviously wasn’t the same as Amen (Thompson),” Udoka said prior to Monday’s game versus Detroit. Thompson missed more than a month with a Grade 2 ankle sprain earlier this season.

After spraining his ankle in last Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix, Udoka said Smith told team doctors the pain was manageable, so they were always optimistic that it wouldn’t be a lengthy absence.

For Smith, the talented No. 3 pick of the 2022 first round, the injury came at a time when he was building momentum. During his previous four full-game outings, the 20-year-old had averaged 22.8 points (57.7% FG, 45% on 3-pointers) and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Now, as the calendar flips to 2024, Smith hopes to recapture that form. He’s likely to be on a slight minutes limitation in his initial games back, though the Rockets will soon lift it if there are no issues.

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