Tag: Jabari Smith Jr.

Dillon Brooks offers advice, perspective for Houston’s slumping prospects

“Just keep that same confidence,” Dillon Brooks says of his advice for Houston’s young players. “Take those [slumps] as learning experiences.”

HOUSTON — The last time the Houston Rockets played inside Toyota Center, they were riding high off a six-game winning streak and heading into a four-day layoff before a three-game California road trip.

Since then, fortunes have changed dramatically for the Rockets. They return Wednesday to take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Houston is on a three-game slide after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers and Golden State Warriors. For the 2023-24 season, the Rockets are 6-1 at home and 0-5 on the road.

Rockets forward Dillon Brooks is hopeful Houston can get back on the winning track versus his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies, who have struggled this season following his departure and the NBA’s 25-game suspension of Ja Morant. He hopes the Rockets can return to playing more physically and take advantage of the crowd, thus giving them an edge when defending their home court.

“Honestly, just playing together, sharing the basketball and getting great shots,” said Brooks about the Rockets’ keys to victory.

Houston hopes being at home could lead to the re-emergence of third-year shooting guard Jalen Green, who struggled on the road trip. In those three games, Green averaged 15 points a game while shooting under 35% from the field and 25% from 3-point range. He did not play the fourth quarter on Monday in Golden State, a decision by head coach Ime Udoka.

It is the second time so far Udoka sat a starter in the final period. Earlier this season, forward Jabari Smith Jr. was replaced by veteran Jeff Green. Both Green and Smith were top-three draft picks by the Rockets in back-to-back years (2021, 2022).

While with the Grizzlies, Brooks was part of a team with very talented but young players, and he is willing to use that experience to help Green and Smith get over the hump.

“Just keep that same confidence,” Brooks said. “Don’t weather through the slumps of each game; take those as learning experiences. Come out with a fresh mind, because every game poses a different challenge. With this new team and a new core, there are going to be days where you don’t shoot the ball as much or have a great game, but what are you going to bring to the game that contributes to winning?”

“Each and every day, it does not matter if you shoot the ball well or you mess up a lot and turnover the ball,” Brooks said. “If you are contributing to winning, it brings you into good spirits.”

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Takeaways: In close loss to Warriors, Rockets finish with Aaron Holiday over Jalen Green

Houston (6-6) has lost three straight after a 121-116 loss at Golden State. Alperen Sengun had another monster game with 30 points (56.5% FG) and 13 rebounds.

The Houston Rockets finished winless on their three-game California road trip, in the state after Monday’s 121-116 (box score) loss to Golden State in the finale. The Rockets (6-6), who had won six consecutive games, have suddenly dropped three in a row. Meanwhile, the Warriors (7-8) snapped their six-game skid.

After a slump of late, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson broke out for the hosts with 32 and 20 points, respectively. Curry hit 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%), while Thompson made 5-of-11 (45.5%).

Unlike Houston’s first two games in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers, which were tied in the final 10 seconds, this one wasn’t nearly as close. Fatigue from a third game in four nights certainly didn’t help, and neither did Golden State’s shooting barrage: 21-of-43 (48.8%) from 3-point range.

Standout players for the Rockets were:

  • Alperen Sengun: 30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists; 13-of-23 shooting (56.5%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), plus-6 in 37 minutes
  • Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 14 assists, 5 rebounds; 3-of-13 shooting (23.1%), 1-of-8 on 3-pointers (12.5%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 5 rebounds; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)
  • Jalen Green: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-15 shooting (40%), 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 13 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds; 4-of-5 shooting (80%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75%)

With Holiday playing well and Green struggling both as a shooter and on defense, the veteran played the entire fourth quarter in Green’s place — mostly alongside the other four starters.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews from Monday night in San Francisco, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Wednesday’s home game versus Memphis, with the tip from Toyota Center set for 7 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: LeBron James, Lakers hold off Alperen Sengun, Rockets in closing seconds

Alperen Sengun’s tying bucket over LeBron James was for naught after James drew an ensuing foul with 1.9 seconds left to secure a Lakers win over the Rockets.

As a three-game California road trip continues, the Houston Rockets (6-5) lost their second straight contest, 105-104, (box score) to the Los Angeles Lakers (8-6) on Sunday. The road swing culminates with Monday’s late game at Golden State.

Houston led for much of the first half, but LeBron James and the Lakers swung the game with a 32-20 third quarter, which primarily took place with Alperen Sengun sidelined with four fouls.

Sengun tied the game with 4.0 seconds left on a bucket over James, but James won it with a free throw after drawing a foul on the ensuing inbounds play. Dillon Brooks unsuccessfully gambled for a steal, and the Rockets had little hope but to foul James at the rim.

Standout players for the Rockets included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists; 11-of-16 shooting (68.8%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50%), +21 in 31 minutes
  • Fred VanVleet: 15 points, 16 assists; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 3-of-10 on 3-pointers (30%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 24 points, 4 steals; 9-of-21 shooting (42.9%), 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 5 rebounds; 5-of-10 shooting (50%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)

James led the Lakers with 37 points and 8 assists while shooting 14-of-19 overall (73.7%) and 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%). Anthony Davis added 27 points and 10 rebounds on 11-of-15 shooting (73.3%), though Sengun drew a sixth foul that forced an early departure.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews from late Sunday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Monday’s road-trip finale in San Francisco versus the Golden State Warriors. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. Central.

Jabari Smith Jr. finds more structure, accountability for Rockets under Ime Udoka

“It’s not as much looseness,” Jabari Smith Jr. says of Ime Udoka’s coaching. “I would say it’s a lot more strict. It’s a lot more structured. Accountability, a lot more of that.”

In a new interview with FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show, Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. spoke with league insider Shams Charania about a wide range of changes in his second NBA season.

After finishing tied for the Western Conference’s worst record in his rookie 2021-22 season, Smith’s improving Rockets (6-3) are the talk of the league after winning six consecutive games.

One reason for that growth, according to Smith, is new head coach Ime Udoka and his emphasis on structure and accountability.

“It’s not as much looseness,” said Smith, who is averaging 12.3 points (48.4% FG, 36.4% on 3-pointers) and 7.0 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game this season. “I would say it’s a lot more strict. It’s a lot more structured. Accountability, a lot more of that.”

As for his personal game, Smith cited ball-handling and taking bumps when driving to the rim as offseason points of emphasis, noting his confidence is much improved from his rookie season.

Scroll on for a roundup of Smith’s most noteworthy tidbits and quotes from his exclusive interview with Charania.

‘Hit first’: Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green prioritize fast starts in Houston

“We are an aggressive team, so the first two quarters, we are trying to come out and throw the first punch,” Jalen Green says of Houston’s dominant starts of late.

In their first three games of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the Houston Rockets’ performance in the first quarter looked like a boxer in the ring with their hands behind their backs, simply watching an opponent threw hard-hitting punches. They averaged a dismal 22.3 points in opening quarters on their way to three straight losses.

Increased familiarity and experience may have played a role. The team continues to integrate veteran point guard Fred VanVleet and forward Dillon Brooks into its lineup. Or, perhaps, all it took was returning home to the friendly confines of Toyota Center to make the necessary adjustments to correct their early game woes.

During their four-game home winning streak that started by defeating Charlotte, the Rockets are averaging 34 points in the first quarter while holding their opponents to 21.7 points. They held Sacramento and the Lakers to 19 points to open the game, which is the identity Houston wants to establish from the start.

“It is just the motto of ‘hit first’ that we have established since coming home,” Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. said to Rockets Wire. “We never want to play from behind like we did in Orlando. That still haunts us from the slow start we had.”

“It is gruesome to fight back against these NBA teams, especially with how good they are,” Smith added. “It is tough when you get behind and have to fight back. It is just trying to do our work early and not put ourselves in such a big hole where it is so hard to win. Do your work early and just hit first.”

Over the last three games, Houston’s average margin of victory is 25.6 points. In each, the Rockets have held their opponents to under 100 points, which has helped them improve to 4-3. That represents the first time the team has been over .500 since it was 11-10 in the 2020-21 season, almost three years ago.

“I feel like that is what our identity is this year,” guard Jalen Green said about the style of play Houston has displayed in the first quarter. “We are an aggressive team, so the first two quarters, we are trying to come out and throw the first punch and keep it going through the second half. That is our mentality right now.”

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As Rockets pile up wins, Jabari Smith Jr. shows growth while boosting efficiency

Since struggling late in San Antonio, Jabari Smith Jr. has shown growth during Houston’s current winning streak, and especially with his shooting efficiency.

When Houston fell to 0-2 on Oct. 27 courtesy of a late collapse in the fourth quarter and overtime at San Antonio, Jabari Smith Jr. immediately took responsibility.

The second-year Rockets forward missed multiple free throws and an open 3-pointer in the final minute that could have put the game away. He was generally outplayed down the stretch by Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.

In subsequent comments, Smith acknowledged that he “shut down” in that moment before vowing to not let it happen again.

To his credit, it hasn’t happened since. The Rockets are 4-1 in five games since then, and Smith’s superior efficiency is a big reason.

In his first two games of the 2023-24 season, Smith averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds per game while shooting 32% from the field and 16.7% on 3-pointers. In the five games since, the 6-foot-10 forward is averaging 15.4 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 58.5% overall and 50% from 3-point range.

On Wednesday, when Houston won its fourth straight game by blowing out the Lakers, head coach Ime Udoka said his new coaching staff is still learning its players and is improving by the game at putting them in the best positions and roles on the floor to succeed.

Smith is clearly near the forefront of that list. “He came out the next game hunting his shots,” Udoka said. “He didn’t get down about it, he more so got motivated. … He was down after the game, but he stayed confident, attacked, and we didn’t see him waver at all.”

Udoka, Smith, and the Rockets look to keep their momentum rolling when New Orleans visits Houston’s Toyota Center on Friday. The hosts are in search of a fifth straight win, and it’s also the opener of the NBA’s new in-season tournament for the Rockets (schedule).

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As wins mount, Ime Udoka’s Rockets show improved defense, effort

“We always knew what we were capable of, and it was just a matter of time before we put it all together,” Jabari Smith Jr. says of Houston’s winning streak.

HOUSTON — One day after watching the NFL’s Texans return to .500 after years of rebuilding, fans around the city enjoyed seeing the Rockets reach the same mark in Monday’s rout of Sacramento. The last time the Rockets (3-3), who have won three straight, were at .500 was after two games at the start of the 2021-22 NBA season.

With a young team led by three savvy veterans who have a significant on-court presence and in the locker room, the last three games have helped Houston build confidence after an 0-3 start.

“A lot,” Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. said when asked how the wins are helping build camaraderie. “We always knew what we were capable of, and it was just a matter of time before we put it all together and wanting to win. It is about ‘will’ and our will. These last three games have been through the roof, and we have to keep that consistency.”

As aggressive as the Rockets were on offense, led by third-year players Jalen Green (game-high 23 points) and Alperen Sengun (17 points and a career-high 12 assists), their communication on defense was vital in helping extend their winning streak to three games.

Players have bought into the system of first-year head coach Ime Udoka, and all the hard work they put in during practice is finally starting to pay off. The Kings looked flustered on the offensive end of the court without All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox. They struggled to handle the consistent pressure applied by Houston.

Udoka was very impressed by his team’s defensive effort on Monday. The Rockets held the Kings to 60 points through three quarters and to below 25 points in each quarter. Dating to Saturday’s win over the Kings, Houston accomplished that feat for six straight periods, all while holding Sacramento below 100 total points in both games.

“I loved how we finished in the first half,” Udoka said. “We talked about them (Sacramento) coming out with an aggressive mindset for the third quarter, and I loved how we did, holding them to 18 points in that quarter. Two games in a row, I am very impressed.”

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Takeaways: Jalen Green breaks out as Rockets rout Kings, climb back to .500

Jalen Green dropped a game-high 23 points on elite efficiency in 26 minutes, and it led the #Rockets to a third straight win in Monday’s blowout of Sacramento.

HOUSTON — In Monday’s rematch at Toyota Center, the Rockets followed Saturday’s win over Sacramento with a 122-97 blowout (box score). Houston, which has now won three straight games, led by as many as 40 points in another strong two-way performance.

The Kings fell to 2-4 with the loss, while the Rockets (3-3) are at .500 for the first time since being 1-1 in October 2021. Excluding that two-game sample, it’s the first time the Rockets have been at .500 or better since being 11-11 early in the 2020-21 season.

Third-year guard Jalen Green had slumped to start the 2023-24 season, averaging slightly more than 17 points over his first five games on subpar shooting. But in this one, Green was electric with a game-high 23 points in 26 minutes, shooting 5-of-9 overall (55.6%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%), and 10-of-12 on free throws (83.3%).

Meanwhile, fellow third-year prospect Alperen Sengun finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds and a career-high 12 assists. Jabari Smith Jr. added 13 points and 4 rebounds for the Rockets in just 22 minutes, making 5-of-8 shots (62.5%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%).

Sengun’s defense also helped limit Kings star Domantas Sabonis to just 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 turnovers in 30 minutes.

De’Aaron Fox and Amen Thompson again sat out for the Kings and Rockets, respectively, due to right ankle sprains, while Tari Eason missed his sixth straight game with a stress reaction in his left lower leg. Eason is expected to return soon, while Thompson is likely weeks away from a return due to the Grade 2 nature of his sprain.

As for Monday’s rout, here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston, as a seven-game homestand continues, is Wednesday’s game versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

Winning streak: Rockets blast Kings as Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr. shine

Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. combined for 47 points and 20 rebounds on elite shooting as Houston bullied its way past Sacramento and into a winning streak.

In Game 3 of the longest homestand of the season at Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets’ 107-89 victory (box score) over the Sacramento Kings (2-3) secured their first winning streak in Saturday’s.

Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. were standouts on offense. Houston’s forward duo combined for 47 points; each shot at least 60% from the field and 50% from 3-point range.

Defensively, Houston (2-3) held the Kings to their lowest point total of the 2023-24 season. Sacramento had exceeded 100 points in each of its first four games, but they managed just 89 in Houston and only 36 in the second half as the Rockets pulled away. Malik Monk led the way with 18 points off the bench.

Houston’s key players included:

  • Dillon Brooks: 26 points, 9 rebounds, plus-25 in 38 minutes; 9-of-14 shooting (64.3%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%), 6-of-6 on free throws
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 21 points, 11 rebounds, plus-4 in 35 minutes; 9-of-15 shooting (60%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, plus-27 in 34 minutes; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 21 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, plus-13 in 36 minutes; 7-of-22 shooting (31.8%), 4-of-14 on 3-pointers (28.6%)
  • Jalen Green: 10 points, 5 assists, plus-26 in 36 minutes; 4-of-10 shooting (40%), 0-of-2 on 3-pointers, 2-of-7 on free throws (28.6%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 11 points, 4 rebounds, plus-4 in 21 minutes; 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%), 3-of-3 on 3-pointers

Sengun held his own and then some against star Kings center Domantas Sabonis, who finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Sacramento was outscored by 26 points in his 31 minutes.

Here are highlights and interviews from Saturday night, along with reaction by media members and fans who follow the Rockets. Next up for Houston, as its seven-game homestand continues, is Monday’s rematch versus Sacramento. Tipoff is 7 p.m. Central.

‘Trending in the right direction’: Fred VanVleet, Rockets pleased by progress under Ime Udoka

“For a young team, you have to find ways to win and close out games, and we were able to do that tonight,” Fred VanVleet said after Houston’s first win of the season.

HOUSTON — There were finally smiles and laughter in the home locker room on Wednesday night.

After three failed attempts at victory to begin the 2023-24 season, the Rockets (1-3) recorded their first win by defeating the Charlotte Hornets, 128-119.

“You gotta get on the board,” Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet said about ending the three-game losing streak. “Other than the first game (Orlando), I feel we played a little bit better against San Antonio, we played a little bit better against the Warriors (Golden State) and just didn’t close it out. So, we have been trending in the right direction. For a young team, you have to find ways to win and close out games, and we were able to do that tonight.”

VanVleet bounced back from a dismal home opener against Golden State, in which he scored only 8 points while shooting 2-for-13 overall. On Wednesday, he finished with 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting, including going 5-for-10 from 3-point range. His 11 assists also contributed to the other four starters all scoring in double figures.

The win helped restore the confidence of second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr., who had missed crucial free throws and a potential winning shot in the season’s second game at San Antonio.

On Wednesday, Smith’s 13 points (17 for the game) in the second half helped hold off the Hornets, who had climbed within a point of the lead before Smith hit a 3-pointer to extend it back to four points. That was the closest Charlotte drew in the second half, and Houston went on to win by nine points.

“My teammates helped me get open shots,” Smith said. “Fred and Jalen (Green) helped me impact the game in other facets and I was just trying to focus on the little things my teammates needed me to do. I know the shots are going to come, and I can get my shot off at any time. So, it is about doing the little things. Let the game come to me.”

After going nearly 17 months since his last victory, Game 3 of the 2022 NBA Finals versus Golden State, first-year Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was thrilled to watch his team finally finish the deal and not allow another lead to slip through their fingers.

“It is always good to get the first win,” Udoka said. “I think we have played well enough at times but haven’t been consistent enough, and that has been my message … more so than anything. If we continue to play with proper intensity and focus, we would be in good shape.”

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