Tag: Jeff Green

On this day: Walker, Perkins, Erden, Harangody trades; Becker born

On this day in Celtics history, Boston dealt away Antoine Walker, Kendrick Perkins, Semih Erden, and Luke Harangody, and Moe Becker was born.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, forward Antoine Devon Walker began playing for the team that drafted him in what would be his second stint with Boston after being dealt back to the Celtics by the Atlanta Hawks.

Walker had been selected by the storied franchise out of the University of Kentucky with the sixth overall pick of the 1996 NBA draft. Now, he was reunited with his former college head coach Rick Pitino after his rookie season (in which he made All-Rookie First Team) with the Celtics as Pitino was hired as the team’s head coach and president.

Walker would link up with future Boston champion Paul Pierce after he was also drafted by the Celtics in 1998 to make a few deep runs in the postseason in his first stint with the team.

Jalen Green soars to first career triple-double as Hawks clip short-handed Rockets

Jalen Green (26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) had his first career triple-double, but Houston’s short-handed squad couldn’t complete a rally in Atlanta.

In the finale of a frustrating four-game road trip, the short-handed Rockets led by 12 after the first quarter before running out of steam in Saturday’s 122-113 loss (box score) at Atlanta. Dejounte Murray returned from a two-game injury absence and led the Hawks (24-29) with an efficient 34 points, including 12-of-15 on free throws (80%).

As their Western Conference play-in tournament odds continue to fade, the Rockets (23-29) suffered their first four-game losing streak and are 5-20 away from home all season. In a familiar development, Houston’s late comeback bid couldn’t get over the hump despite closing the gap to five points with just over a minute left.

The Rockets, who were on the second night of a road back-to-back after losing Friday in Toronto, were down four key players due to injury: Alperen Sengun (lower back pain), Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) and Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain). The status of those players for the next game, Monday at home versus New York, is not clear.

Given those absences, several of the remaining Rockets stepped into larger roles and fared well offensively. Standouts included:

  • Jalen Green: 26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 turnovers; 10-of-22 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%)
  • Jeff Green: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 turnovers; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%)
  • Amen Thompson: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals; 6-of-10 shooting (60%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 14 points; 5-of-19 shooting (26.3%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4 steals; 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 18 points, 2 assists in 22 minutes; 7-of-10 shooting, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%)
  • Jock Landale: Season-high 9 rebounds in 13 minutes

However, Houston often struggled to get defensive stops versus Murray and Trae Young’s high-octane Hawks. After holding Atlanta to 19 points in the first quarter, the Rockets lost intensity as the game progressed, allowing 38 points in each of the next two quarters.

Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Atlanta, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the road trip complete, next up for the Rockets is Monday’s game versus the Knicks (33-19), with the tip set for 7 p.m. Central.

Adding injury to insult: Rockets lose game to lowly Raptors, Cam Whitmore to ankle sprain

The Rockets are now a woeful 5-19 on the road this season, and the loss of Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain) added injury to insult in Toronto.

On the third stop of a four-game road trip, the turnover-prone Rockets (22 total) delivered one of their worst performances of the season in Friday’s 107-104 loss (box score) at Toronto. After trailing by as many as 22 points in the third quarter, Houston’s late comeback bid came up just short, just as it did in the previous game at Indiana.

The Raptors (19-33), led by 25 points from Immanuel Quickley, dealt Houston (23-29) its fourth straight road loss.

Cam Whitmore scored 17 points in just over 17 minutes, shooting 5-of-9 overall (55.6%) and 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%). But fittingly, on a night where so many things went wrong for the Rockets, Whitmore left in the second half and couldn’t continue due to a right ankle sprain — which he suffered late in the first half during a controversial no-call sequence that didn’t go Houston’s way.

The Rockets did not immediately offer a timetable for Whitmore’s return, but his availability for Saturday’s game in Atlanta — which takes place less than 24 hours from the injury — is in doubt.

For better or for worse, other notable stat lines included:

  • Dillon Brooks: 20 points, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers in 30 minutes; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 4-of-5 on 3-pointers (80.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 12 points, 11 rebounds in 33 minutes; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Jalen Green: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 turnovers in 22 minutes; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 turnovers in 21 minutes; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
  • Amen Thompson: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 turnovers in 31 minutes; 4-of-5 shooting (80.0%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 12 points, 5 assists in 30 minutes; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
  • Jeff Green: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists in 27 minutes; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)

Neither Jalen Green nor Sengun were part of Houston’s closing lineup. Sengun struggled to handle Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl, who had with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots while shooting 7-of-11 from the field (63.6%). It was a dramatic reversal from when Sengun had his way inside during last week’s meeting.

Houston routed Toronto in that Feb. 2 game, but that was at home, where the Rockets are 18-9 this season. They are a staggering 5-19 on the road, and that discrepancy is a big part of why they’ve fallen to No. 12 in the Western Conference standings, with a potential run to the play-in tournament becoming increasingly unlikely.

Another factor in their recent regression is injuries. Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both remained sidelined, although there is hope that each could return within the next few days. The Rockets are now 0-5 in the 2023-24 season without VanVleet and 11-18 without Eason.

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Toronto, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the road trip finally concludes, next up for Houston is Saturday’s game at Atlanta (22-29), where tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.

Reaction: Celtics edge short-handed Rockets as Alperen Sengun posts third career triple-double

Alperen Sengun (24/12/10) had his third career triple-double, but the weary and short-handed Rockets couldn’t complete Sunday’s comeback bid against Boston.

HOUSTON — On the second night of a difficult back-to-back at Toyota Center, the severely short-handed Rockets (20-22) couldn’t quite keep pace with the loaded Boston Celtics (33-10) in a 116-107 loss (box score). But the home team didn’t go down without a fight.

Despite trailing by double digits most of the way, Houston kept pushing and came within a possession on multiple trips in the fourth quarter. However, the Rockets couldn’t get a final breakthrough.

Big man Kristaps Porzingis led Boston with 32 points and 5 blocks, and he made 6-of-11 from 3-point range (54.5%). He was countered by Houston’s Alperen Sengun, who had 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the third triple-double of his NBA career. Sengun made 10-of-18 shots (55.6%) and all four of his free throws.

Houston was without Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management), Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain), Fred VanVleet (lower back tightness), Jeff Green (left calf soreness) and Reggie Bullock (lower back pain). Back-to-back considerations played a role in some of those decisions, according to head coach Ime Udoka.

Given those absences, Houston had its pair of highly drafted rookies — Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore — make their first NBA starts. Thompson played well with 15 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists, making 5-of-10 shots (50%) and 5-of-6 free throws (83.3%).

For Whitmore, it was a struggle with 5 points and 4 rebounds on 2-of-7 shooting (28.6%). He went 0-of-2 on free throws when the Rockets were down only three points in the closing minutes.

Dillon Brooks led Houston with 25 points and 4 steals, making 5-of-15 from 3-point range (33.3%), and his defense helped limit Celtics star Jayson Tatum to just 18 points on 4-of-17 shooting (23.5%).

Jalen Green and Aaron Holiday each had 5 assists and 4 rebounds while scoring 16 and 12 points, respectively. Both were stepping into larger-than-usual roles in the absence of VanVleet.

Here’s our look at Sunday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Toyota Center, along with reaction by media members and fans. Now 1-1 on a three-game homestand, Houston wraps it up on Wednesday versus Portland (12-29), with tipoff set for 7 p.m. Central.

As injury replacements, Rockets rookies Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore make first NBA starts

With Fred VanVleet (lower back tightness) and Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) out, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each started in Houston for the first time.

HOUSTON — On the second night of a back-to-back, the Rockets held out veterans Fred VanVleet (lower back tightness) and Jeff Green (left calf soreness) from Sunday’s game versus Boston.

Neither injury appears particularly serious, but with the Rockets coming off an exhausting overtime victory on Saturday versus Utah, head coach Ime Udoka was conservative with his veterans. VanVleet is Houston’s trusted starter at point guard, while Green is the team’s backup center and among its most productive reserves.

Udoka said VanVleet has had nagging back soreness for at least a week, and his high minutes totals in recent games made the second night of a back-to-back an opportune time to rest.

Houston was also without Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management), Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) and Reggie Bullock (lower back pain) on Sunday against the Celtics. Eason and Bullock have missed multiple games with their injuries; Smith rolled his left ankle in the final seconds of Saturday’s victory.

In the absence of VanVleet and Smith, who normally start, rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each made their first NBA start on Sunday against the Celtics. Both rookies had key contributions to Saturday’s win, and Udoka appears ready to try them in larger roles.

Thompson (4th pick in 2023) and Whitmore (20th) were a part of Houston’s highly touted first-round draft class.

The Rockets have two days off before returning to action on Wednesday night at home versus Portland. That should give those veterans an opportunity to get healthy.

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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.

The remaining active NBA players from each draft class between 2003 and 2010

It is truly remarkable that LeBron is still playing as well as he does.

With each passing season, more and more players in the previous generation of the NBA are graduating into retirement.

Some of the most recognizable and dominant players of a beloved era (e.g. Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, etc.) have recently ended their professional playing careers.

As the league begins to look increasingly different every year, we decided to look at which players drafted before 2011 are still active in the league. There are only 30 players who fit those qualifications and only 19 have started more than one game this season.

Here is a look at each NBA draft class and who remains active years later.

All data is provided via Stathead and is accurate as of publishing.

Takeaways: Cavs edge Rockets in overtime after Alperen Sengun’s potential winner rims out

Alperen Sengun (24 points, 8 rebounds) and Fred VanVleet (27 points, 17 assists) played well in defeat, but Sengun’s potential game-winner rimmed out in Cleveland.

Rockets stars Alperen Sengun (24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) and Fred VanVleet (27 points, 17 assists, 8 rebounds) played extremely well on Monday night in Cleveland, but the big man’s bid for a clinching buzzer-beater rimmed out in regulation. The Cavaliers then pulled away in overtime, 135-130 (box score).

It was the second night of a road back-to-back for Houston, which seemed to run out of steam during the extra five minutes. The Rockets (13-11) finished a three-game road trip 1-2 after also losing Sunday’s game in Milwaukee, while Cleveland (15-12) won its second straight.

The Cavs were led by superstar guard Donovan Mitchell, who had 37 points and 6 assists while shooting 14-of-27 overall (51.9%) and 4-of-11 on 3-pointers (36.4%). Cleveland hit 19-of-48 from 3-point range as a team, led by five off the bench by Sam Merrill, who finished with 19 points in 24 minutes while shooting 50% on treys.

Other noteworthy Rockets performances during Monday’s game, both in positive and negative ways, consisted of:

  • Tari Eason: 14 points, 8 rebounds in 33 minutes; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80%)
  • Jalen Green: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; 2-of-12 shooting (16.7%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 5 points, 7 rebounds; 2-of-7 shooting (28.6%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-12 shooting (50%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Jeff Green: 15 points, 3 rebounds in 24 minutes; 6-of-6 shooting, 3-of-3 on free throws
  • Aaron Holiday: 14 points, 2 rebounds in 17 minutes; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Monday’s game in Cleveland, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a return home to Houston, where they have won 11 straight games. The tip for Wednesday’s Rockets-Hawks matchup at Toyota Center is slated for 7 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Damian Lillard’s Bucks avoid upset, but Rockets show their mettle

Damian Lillard’s Bucks had enough offense to survive an upset bid by Fred VanVleet and the visiting Rockets, who had their five-game winning streak snapped.

In a high-profile road game versus an NBA title contender, the improved Houston Rockets made Milwaukee work. They could not, however, get over the final hump in Sunday’s 128-119 loss (box score) to the Bucks (19-7), who were led by their duo of frequent MVP candidates, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Lillard led the Bucks with a game-high 39 points and 11 assists, shooting 11-of-19 from the field (57.9%) and 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%). Antetokounmpo added 26 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, shooting 10-of-22 (45.5%). Milwaukee outrebounded the Rockets by a decisive 56-39 margin, with several generating extra shot chances when Houston badly needed a stop.

With the loss, Houston (13-10) had its five-game winning streak snapped. The final margin was worsened by a series of controversial calls and ejections (Dillon Brooks and Ime Udoka) in the game’s final 40 seconds, which ballooned a margin that had been as slim as one possession with under six minutes left to play.

Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 22 points and 6 assists on 8-of-16 shooting and 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50%). Backcourt mate Jalen Green had an efficient 16 points and a team-high 7 assists, making 6-of-11 shots (54.5%) and 2-of-4 from behind the arc (50%).

Other standout players for the Rockets included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 16 points, 5 rebounds; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%)
  • Tari Eason: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Jeff Green: 16 points in 17 minutes; 4-of-5 shooting (80%), 7-of-8 on free throws (87.5%)

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Sunday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets, as a challenging road back-to-back concludes, is Monday’s matchup at Cleveland (14-12). Tipoff is at 6 p.m. Central.

In Memphis return, Dillon Brooks cooks Grizzlies as Rockets win fifth straight

In his first return to Memphis as a visitor, Dillon Brooks (team-high 26 points) hit a dagger 3-pointer in the final minute and led Houston (13-9) to a fifth straight win.

In his first return to Memphis since playing six seasons for the Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks scored a team-high 26 points for the Rockets — including 24 in the second half — as Houston stormed back from an early 17-point deficit to win Friday’s game, 103-96 (box score).

Brooks hit 10-of-20 shots from the field (50.0%) and 3-of-9 from 3-point range (33.3%), including a dagger in the game’s final minute. With the win, Houston (13-9) has now won five straight, overall.

That was enough to withstand a spirited effort by the Grizzlies (6-18), who were led by 28 points and 13 rebounds from Desmond Bane. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 22 points and 4 blocked shots.

Beyond Brooks, other Houston players who scored in double figures versus the Grizzlies included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 16 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals; 4-of-12 shooting (33.3%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Jalen Green: 14 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds; 4-of-12 shooting (33.3%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Jeff Green: 12 points, 4 rebounds in 19 minutes; 3-of-9 shooting (33.3%), 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%)
  • Tari Eason: 11 points, 8 rebounds 2 steals in 23 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers

The Rockets were without a pair of reserves in Amen Thompson and Jae’Sean Tate, with each sitting out due to an illness.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Friday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets, as a three-game road trip continues, is Sunday’s tough matchup at Milwaukee (17-7). Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. Central.