Tag: Jabari Smith Jr.

Rockets pick up 2024-25 contract options of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason

Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason all had their contract options for the 2024-25 season officially picked up by the Rockets.

As previous reports indicated, the Houston Rockets officially picked up the contract options on Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun ahead of the NBA’s annual Oct. 31 deadline for such decisions.

Contracts for first-round draft picks are only guaranteed for the first two seasons; the third and fourth years are at the team’s discretion. Smith and Eason were drafted in the 2022 first round, while Green and Sengun were selections from the 2021 draft class.

Since all four are productive players for the Rockets, the decision to pick up those contract options for 2024-25 was largely a formality. However, it is a procedural step general manager Rafael Stone was required to do to keep them on their current deals.

Green and Sengun will earn $12.5 and $5.4 million in 2024-25, respectively, while Smith and Eason will make $9.8 and $3.7 million. The higher figures for Green and Smith are because their draft slots (No. 2 and No. 3 in 2021 and 2022) correspond with higher figures.

Green and Sengun will be eligible for contract extensions once the 2023-24 league year concludes.

From the team’s official announcement, here’s a look at miscellaneous facts and figures about each of those four players to date.

NBA execs poll: Where Rockets rank among top young players to build around

In a poll of NBA execs, Houston’s Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. were viewed among the league’s top 10 players to build around who are under 25 years old.

With the start of the 2023-24 season here, HoopsHype polled 20 NBA executives for their top five players under 25 years old.

After dominating this executives poll for the past three years, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic battled with San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama for the top spot in a tight race.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey were among the top risers in the poll, while LaMelo Ball and Zion Williamson were among players whose stock slipped. In addition, 11 players earned votes for the first time.

Under this scoring system, the top player received 10 points, the second received seven points, the third received five points, the fourth received three points, and the fifth player received one point for each ballot. The results of the poll, which featured four young prospects on the 2023-24 Houston Rockets roster, are listed below.

Further analysis is available from Michael Scotto at HoopsHype.

Takeaways: Warriors hold off Jalen Green, Rockets as Steph Curry explodes late

Jalen Green led the #Rockets with 21 points and 9 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to avoid an 0-3 start after a late flurry by Golden State’s Steph Curry.

The Rockets stormed back from a 16-point deficit to grab a fourth-quarter lead, but they couldn’t hold it in Sunday’s 106-95 loss (box score) to Golden State. Houston, which played its home opener of the 2023-24 regular season. is 0-3 under new coach Ime Udoka.

The Rockets held Steph Curry in check for much of the game, but the future Hall of Famer erupted late with four 3-pointers in the game’s final six minutes as the Warriors (2-1) pulled away. Curry finished with a game-high 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and he connected on 6-of-14 from 3-point range (42.9%).

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 21 points and 9 rebounds, though he shot just 8-of-20 from the field (40%) and 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20%). Other Houston players of note included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 19 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50%), 4-of-4 on free throws
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals; 6-of-12 shooting (50%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists; 4-of-10 shooting (40%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)
  • Amen Thompson: 9 points, 4 rebounds in 20 minutes; 3-of-5 shooting (60%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 6 points, 8 rebounds in 22 minutes; 2-of-6 shooting (33.3%)

Curry’s veteran backcourt mate, Klay Thompson, added 19 points for the Warriors and made 5-of-10 from 3-point range (50%). Overall, Golden State’s 18-of-45 night (40%) from long range proved too much of a math advantage to overcome for a gritty Houston squad that competed hard but made 9-of-33 shots (27.3%) from deep.

Here are highlights and interviews from Sunday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston, as a season-long homestand of seven games continues, is Wednesday’s matchup versus Charlotte. Tipoff from Toyota Center is at 7 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Alperen Sengun duels Victor Wembanyama as Spurs rally past Rockets

Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet each had 20-point double-doubles, but Houston’s missed free throws proved costly in an overtime loss at San Antonio.

The Rockets led by 10 points in Friday’s second half, but they weren’t able to hold that lead in a deflating 126-122 overtime loss (box score) to the Spurs. Houston fell to 0-2 with the loss, while San Antonio improved to 1-1 on the young 2023-24 regular season.

The Rockets made just 10-of-20 free throws (50.0%), including a pair of costly misses by Jabari Smith Jr. in the final minute of regulation, when Houston was clinging to a narrow lead. By contrast, the Spurs made 21-of-28 from the free-throw line (75.0%).

Rookie big man Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, though Houston limited him to 7-of-19 shooting (36.8%). Rockets in double figures included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 25 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists; 11-of-18 shooting (61.1%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 2-of-6 on free throws (33.3%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 24 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds; 10-of-20 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists; 10-of-20 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 17 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 13 points, 9 rebounds; 5-of-16 shooting (31.3%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 1-of-4 on free throws (25.0%)

Here are highlights and interviews from Friday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Sunday’s home opener versus Golden State, with tipoff at 6:00 p.m. Central.

‘Not what we want our identity to be’: Rockets struggle against physical Magic

“We came out on our heels a little bit, and they punched us in the mouth,” Jabari Smith Jr. says. “They came out aggressive. That was something we are not used to.”

ORLANDO — In the opener of the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season for both teams, the Houston Rockets visited the Amway Center to play the Magic. However, they quickly found themselves in a battle equivalent to 12 rounds with Roy Jones Jr., the former WBA heavyweight champion and a Florida native.

Orlando bullied Houston all game on its way to a dominant 116-86 victory on Wednesday night.

“We came out on our heels a little bit, and they punched us in the mouth,” Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. said. “They came out aggressive, and that was something we are not used to.”

Being bullied is not a character trait the Rockets want to develop or allow opponents to do to them consistently. In the past, teams have viewed them as a team that will retreat when physical pressure is applied on both ends of the floor.

“That is not what we want our identity to be, and we know that it can’t happen again,” Smith told reporters postgame. “It is good it happened the first game, because now we can flush it out of our system and be ready for the next one.”

The defensive game plan lacked the intensity to stop the Magic from scoring at will. Houston allowed Orlando to outscore it, 54-32, in the paint and dominate it on the boards, 57-31. It was a total reversal of what had worked perfectly for the Rockets in the five preseason games, when they finished 4-1.

Head coach Ime Udoka was not surprised by the physicality of the Magic, but he expected his team to respond with more passion.

“It was too easy for them to score all night,” he said. “It was early in the first half, as well. They were the tougher team and got every 50/50 ball, 16 offensive rebounds, and finished with seven-plus shots. But they were up 15 or so for most of the game, so they were the aggressor tonight. I didn’t expect us to wilt under their physicality.”

Orlando used an intimidation tactic and removed one of Houston’s strongest attributes by not allowing them to driv., The Magic consistently packed the paint with big bodies Wendall Carter Jr. and Jonathan Issac. It is a blueprint other teams will deploy until the Rockets prove they can hit midrange and 3-point shots.

“They (Orlando) have a big team over there, and the way they guard, we knew that they were going to be physical,” Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate said. “The next game, we just have to be ready for a similar scenario with San Antonio, who likes to pack the paint also.”

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Takeaways: Magic stifle Rockets as Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. struggle in opener

It was a rough opening night for Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. as Orlando’s defense suffocated the #Rockets en route to a 116-86 win.

In Wednesday night’s opener from Orlando, the Rockets began their 2023-24 campaign with a disheartening 116-86 loss (box score) to the Magic. It was Houston’s first regular-season game under Ime Udoka, who replaced Stephen Silas as head coach this offseason.

Houston trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half before cutting the margin to a single point early in the third quarter. Then, led by Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony, Orlando broke the game open a second time and never looked back in what became a rout.

Anthony led the Magic in 24 reserve minutes with 20 points and 8 rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting (66.7%). Wagner added 17 points in 27 minutes while making 3-of-7 from 3-point range (42.9%).

Playing against Orlando’s long, athletic and physical defense made it a rough night for many younger Rockets. The poor showings included:

  • Jalen Green: 10 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists in 30 minutes; 2-of-10 shooting (20%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 6 fouls in 26 minutes; 3-of-9 shooting (33.3%), 0-of-4 on 3-pointers
  • Amen Thompson: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 2 assists in 21 minutes; 3-of-10 (30%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)

Orlando outrebounded Houston by a commanding 63-37 margin.

Dillon Brooks was a standout in his first game with the Rockets, posting 14 points and 4 rebounds in 26 minutes while making 4-of-6 from 3-point range (66.7%). Veteran floor general Fred VanVleet had 14 points and 5 assists while also connecting on 4-of-6 from deep, though he missed six of his seven shots inside the arc.

Third-year center Alperen Sengun had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, shooting 6-of-11 from the field (54.5%). However, like many of his teammates, he struggled to score after a 6-of-6 start.

Here are highlights and interviews from Wednesday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is a visit to San Antonio on Friday night, with tipoff at 7 p.m. Central.

Rockets at Magic, Oct. 25: Live stream, how to watch, TV channel, start time

Houston opens its 2023-24 regular season with Wednesday’s game in Orlando, where second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Paolo Banchero will duel.

For the Houston Rockets and each of the NBA’s other 29 teams, the long journey of the 2023-24 regular season begins now.

In the first game under new head coach Ime Udoka, Houston opens its regular-season schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 25, in Orlando with a 6 p.m. Central matchup versus the Magic.

On paper, it’s an intriguing game featuring two young, rebuilding teams from recent seasons who are each looking to take a step forward in the 2023-24 campaign. It’s also a potential one-on-one showdown between second-year forwards Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr., who were selected by the Magic and Rockets at No. 1 and No. 3 overall, respectively, in the first round of the 2022 draft.

Houston and Orlando both enter with relatively strong momentum, having lost only one game apiece in preseason play.

Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. leads Rockets in short-handed loss to Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs

Jabari Smith Jr. led the short-handed #Rockets with 20 points (50% FG) in 24 minutes, but Houston still suffered its first preseason loss on Wednesday in San Antonio.

In Monday’s exhibition loss to the Rockets, the Spurs gave top rookie Victor Wembanyama and talented young guard Devin Vassell a night off for planned maintenance.

In Wednesday’s rematch in the same building, both returned and made a clear impact in San Antonio’s 117-103 victory (box score) over a short-handed Houston side.

Vassell was electric with a game-high 25 points in only 25 minutes, shooting 8-of-14 from the field (57.1%) and 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50%).

Wembanyama added 15 points and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes, although Jabari Smith Jr. offered capable defense to help limit the French phenom to 3-of-10 shooting (30%).

Though Wembanyama and Vassell returned for the Spurs, Jalen Green (toenail) and Tari Eason (left lower leg contusion) remained out for the Rockets. Houston veterans Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Jeff Green sat out to rest. Those absences, coupled with a nearly full-strength San Antonio squad, led to Houston’s first loss under Ime Udoka, whose team is 3-1 in the 2023-24 preseason. The Spurs are 2-2.

On offense, Smith led the way with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting (50%) and 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.6%). The second-year forward grabbed 5 rebounds and hit 4-of-4 free throws over 24 minutes.

Rookie wing Cam Whitmore had 17 points, 6 rebounds and a game-high 6 steals in 30 minutes for the Rockets, though he shot just 4-of-15 overall (26.7%) and 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%). Veteran forward Jae’Sean Tate added 13 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes on 4-of-8 shooting (50%) and 1-of-2 from 3-point range (50.0%).

Nate Williams had 19 points and 8 rebounds off the Houston bench in 23 minutes, shooting 8-of-15 (53.3%) overall.

Here are highlights and interviews from Wednesday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Houston will conclude its exhibition slate on Friday night with a home game versus Miami.

Rockets at Spurs, Oct. 18: Live stream, how to watch, TV channel, start time

After sitting out Monday’s preseason loss to the Rockets, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama appears set to play in Wednesday’s rematch from San Antonio.

During the NBA’s 2023 draft lottery in May, French phenom Victor Wembanyama seemingly celebrated when it became known the Houston Rockets would not land the No. 1 pick in the first round (and with that, a chance to draft him).

One person who clearly took notice was Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 pick from the 2022 draft class.

Now, with Smith enjoying his own career breakout, he should finally have a chance to match up with Wembanyama in Wednesday’s preseason rematch from San Antonio. Wembanyama sat out Monday’s opener, a 10-point Rockets win, for planned maintenance.

The Rockets and Spurs will also meet in the second game of the 2023-24 regular season on Friday, Oct. 27, making three games between the teams in an 11-day span — all at the Frost Bank Center.

Here’s our look at broadcast details and potential lineups for Wednesday’s rematch in San Antonio. Jalen Green is expected to return for the Rockets after sitting out Monday with a toenail issue.

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. ready for challenge of facing Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama

Jabari Smith Jr. on playing against Victor Wembanyama: “It is extraordinary to see his ability, so you just want to play against him and see it for yourself.”

Although it is just the preseason, the Rockets have shown glimpses of what they want to accomplish in the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season. Houston entered Monday 2-0 in exhibition play — winning both games by an average margin of over 25 points — and they now face their in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, for two games.

The Rockets and Spurs will also meet in the second game of the regular season on Friday, Oct. 27, making for three matchups within an 11-day span at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center.

Though he sat out Monday’s opener for rest, Houston will soon face prized rookie Victor Wembanyama for the first time. When that happens, they know they will have the difficult task of slowing the 7-foot-4 hybrid center/forward who was drafted No. 1 in 2023.

“I am looking forward to it,” said second-year Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., who has fared very well in preseason play to date.

“I have seen all the highlights and watched the games,” Smith noted of Wembanyama, who he could be matched up against as soon as Wednesday’s rematch. “It is extraordinary to see his ability, so you just want to play against him and see it for yourself.”

Even though the number of minutes they are directly matched up against each other may be limited, Smith appears ready to embrace the challenge of guarding the heralded rookie.

“For sure,” Smith said when asked if he wanted the defensive assignment. “You have to pressure him with the ball. Force him to make moves and change directions and if he raises up, you are just hoping that he misses. You really can’t contest his shot; you have to defend him without fouling him and make it tough on him.”

Wembanyama showed his skill set and high basketball intellect in a 120-104 victory over Miami in San Antonio’s second  exhibition. In that game, the French phenom finished with 23 points in just 23 minutes. He was a walking mismatch with his center-like height and point-guard abilities. But against the Rockets, he will also have the difficult task of guarding Smith on the other end of the court.

In last Thursday’s win over the Pelicans, Smith opened the game shooting 83% from the field in the first quarter. That included going 3-for-3 from beyond the 3-point arc while hitting his first five shot attempts. He finished with 22 points in just under 24 minutes.

“It depends on how he is guarding me,” Smith told reporters when asked what offensive moves he would deploy against Wembanyama. “If he is pressed up, I might try and go by him, you know. Just feel it out, and play within the offense.”

Head coach Ime Udoka likes the potential head-to-head matchup between the two top-five picks in the last two drafts. However, he noted he also has confidence in other players on Houston’s roster to play good defense on the perimeter against Wembanyama.

“He’s a perimeter-based guy for the most part, so we have a ton of wings and bigs that can move their feet, versatility as far as that,” Udoka said prior to Monday’s opener. “The size is different, obviously, playing like a guard out there and shooting over guys with his size. It’ll be a different challenge than playing against a traditional big, I guess. He’s on the perimeter a ton, but I love our versatility, and we have a lot of different bodies to throw at guys.”

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