Tag: Jonas Valanciunas

Thunder’s Jalen Williams explained why he literally barked at Jonas Valanunucias during their scuffle

Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams clearly has that dog in him.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams is potentially one of the breakout stars of the 2024 NBA postseason.

During his first game of the playoffs, he and New Orleans Pelicans big man Jonas Valanunucias got into a brief kerfuffle. You can watch the dust-up as it happened below, but what you need to know is both parties wanted the ball and neither was willing to back down.

During the back-and-forth, Valanunucias yelled at Williams — who seemed genuinely unfazed by the interaction. If anything, it may have just fired him up a little bit.

Then, if you’ve watched the Thunder a lot this season, something very predictable happened: Williams started barking like a dog, which is what Oklahoma City players often do during postgame walk-off interviews.

If you watch to the end of that video, you can see Williams literally barking at the home crowd in Oklahoma City to get them hyped.

Or just watch the clip below to see the highlight of the bark itself:

After the game, which resulted in an Oklahoma City victory, Williams was asked about what happened during this possession.

His answer was honest, funny, and genuine to the identity of the team.

Here is what he said:

“He yelled in my face and he picked me up off the floor. So I just barked. I don’t know. It was a good energy the whole time. I thought that was pretty cool. I got to bark with the fans. They barked back. Just competitive juices going, both fighting for the ball, it’s kind of playoff basketball. It wasn’t like anything mean. We were just both going at it … It’s kind of hard to recover. Like I said, he picked me up off my feet. I didn’t really have a great response other than to bark.”

Williams and the crowd both continued to lovingly bark at each other as the game progressed.

Then as the game ended, Oklahoma City’s stars (including Williams) all barked during TNT’s walk-off interview.

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Takeaways: In loss to Pelicans, Rockets bullied inside by Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas combined for 47 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists on 64% shooting as New Orleans bullied Houston in Thursday’s blowout loss.

In their first game coming out of the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-31) continued their road misery with Thursday’s 127-105 loss (box score) in New Orleans. Houston is 5-22 away from home this season and has lost six of its last seven, overall, while the Pelicans (34-22) won for the eighth time in nine games.

Houston’s frontcourt of Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. struggled to offer much resistance against the bruising, physical front line of Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson.

Key statistics for the Pelicans included:

  • Valanciunas: 20 points, 14 rebounds in 27 minutes; 9-of-12 shooting (75%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers
  • Williamson: 27 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals in 35 minutes; 12-of-21 shooting (57.1%)
  • C.J. McCollum: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists in 31 minutes; 11-of-22 shooting (50%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40%)

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 20 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 6-of-9 from the field (66.7%). However, many of those statistics were tallied in the second half of a blowout, and his defense against Valanciunas left much to be desired.

On the perimeter, it was another subpar shooting night for Jalen Green, who finished with 10 points in 24 minutes while shooting 3-of-14 from the field (21.4%) and 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25%).

Rookie guard Amen Thompson was the bright spot for Houston, finishing with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%) and 1-of-3 from 3-point range (33.3%). The athletic 6-foot-7 reserve also stuffed the stat sheet with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.

Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remained sidelined for the Rockets, who have not seen their versatile second-year forward play since Jan. 1. Houston is 12-10 with Eason this season and 12-21 without him. Brandon Ingram (illness) was out for the Pelicans.

Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Fortunately for the Rockets, next up is Friday’s game versus Phoenix at Toyota Center, where Houston is 19-9 this season. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Jalen Green continues 30-point scoring binge as Pelicans clip Rockets

Jonas Valanciunas and the Pelicans bullied Houston on the glass, but Jalen Green (31 points) continued his torrid stretch in a competitive loss by the Rockets.

HOUSTON — In the midpoint of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets couldn’t survive an unusually poor night by big man Alperen Sengun in Wednesday night’s 110-99 loss (box score) to the Pelicans. With the win, New Orleans (27-21) defeated Houston (22-25) for the first time in three tries this season.

Sengun, an All-Star candidate, had 10 points and 10 rebounds but shot just 4-of-11 from the field (36.4%). Making matters worse, his opponent — bruising big man Jonas Valanciunas of the Pelicans — was dominant with 25 points (66.7% FG) and 14 rebounds.

Still, the Rockets kept it competitive and came within a possession midway through the second half thanks to another spectacular game from a resurgent Jalen Green. The third-year guard finished with 31 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, shooting 11-of-20 from the field (55.0%) and 5-of-12 on 3-pointers (41.7%).

In his last five outings, Green is averaging a team-high 29.8 points per game while shooting 51.5% overall and 35.5% on 3-pointers.

Rookie guard Cam Whitmore added 17 points and 2 steals in 20 minutes off the bench, shooting 6-of-12 overall (50.0%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%). But that wasn’t nearly enough when Valanciunas and the Pelicans bullied Sengun and the Rockets on the glass, with a commanding 56-29 rebounding margin proving decisive.

Making matters worse, Rockets outside of Green and Whitmore only connected on 5-of-25 from 3-point range (20.0%). Jabari Smith Jr., making just his second start since returning from an ankle injury, didn’t score and missed all four of his 3-pointers. He had just 1 rebound in 22 minutes and was a team-worst -19 over that time.

Brandon Ingram added 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who were without Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones on Wednesday due to injuries. Tari Eason again sat out for the Rockets.

Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the homestand concludes, next up for the Rockets is Friday’s matchup versus the Toronto Raptors (17-30). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.

Trey Lyles (sort of) threw a punch at the head of Jonas Valanciunas but somehow didn’t get ejected

This was so far from actually hurting Valanciunas that Lyles was barely punished.

During the NBA’s In-Season Tournament, Kings forward Trey Lyles and Pelicans big man Jonas Valanciunas shared a tense moment.

As the Pelicans hustled back on defense in the second quarter of the game, Lyles and Valanciunas were visibly upset at one another. Lyles then threw what was nearly a punch toward the head of Valanciunas, but the strike did not connect.

The broadcasters described what they saw from Lyles as a “modified swing” toward the big man. Here is a video of what happened:

Lyles was whistled for a “physical taunt” technical foul against the New Orleans big man but was not ejected from the contest.

It was not a double technical, meanwhile, as Valanciunas was not penalized for his actions during the possession.

Later in the game, New Orleans wing Naji Marshall approached Lyles and may have shared his thoughts about the incident.

Overall, the refs seemingly allowed more of a playoff-like atmosphere during the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup to allow that type of physicality without an ejection.

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Young Rockets center Alperen Sengun earns respect of veteran Jonas Valanciunas

“He is playing hard, and he is talented,” Jonas Valančiūnas says of Alperen Sengun. “He has a bright future. We were battling, and he is not backing down, and that is what I like.” #Rockets

HOUSTON — Coming into the two-game home series against the New Orleans Pelicans always appeared to be a tough battle for the young and upcoming Rockets. Although they had won back-to-back games against the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, two teams currently positioned to be a part of the 2023 NBA playoffs, New Orleans presented a conundrum for the home team.

The Pelicans’ ability to score from the perimeter with a solid tandem of C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram while having a strong low-post presence with Jonas Valančiūnas has often caused issues for Houston.

Houston split the weekend series, but the games were about more than results. Instead, it was about a young Rockets team growing and developing as the 2022-23 season dwindles to a close.

In the NBA, it’s not easy being a 20-year-old player in his second season who is still learning the game. That’s especially the case when matched up against a very physical and crafty 10-year veteran who knows all the tricks to score and draw fouls in the paint.

That’s what Rockets starting center Alperen Sengun was asked to do against Valančiūnas. The Turkish big man was going to be difficult when he saw the games on the schedule, and he was up for the challenge — no matter what the outcomes would be.

Although Valančiūnas won the two-game battle on the interior by averaging 21.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, Sengun made him work hard for the majority of each game.

“I told him after the game that I thought his effort on the defensive end was his best effort all season,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said of Sengun following Sunday’s game. “I was really proud of Alpi and his defensive effort tonight.”

Silas wasn’t the only one who recognized Sengun’s work. His opponent acknowledged the work of Houston’s young center, as well.

“He is playing hard, and he is talented,” said Valančiūnas. “He has a bright future. If he is going to keep working and keep doing what he does, he is going to be good. We were battling, and he is not backing down, and that is what I like. He is tough, and if he is going to continue doing that, he is going to be good, for sure.”

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Jalen Green drops efficient 40 points as Pelicans hold off Rockets

The Pelicans got revenge after Friday’s wild finish, but Jalen Green showed promising signs with his fifth 40+ point game of the past year, and it came on strong efficiency. #Rockets

The New Orleans Pelicans got some revenge on the Rockets in Sunday’s 117-107 final (box score) at Toyota Center. But within the context of Houston’s obvious rebuilding movement, there were more positive signs from one of their most promising prospects.

Second-year Rockets guard Jalen Green finished with the fifth 40+ point game of his young NBA career (and his fourth since January), and he did it on strong efficiency — scoring 40 on 11-of-22 shooting (50.0%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%), and 14-of-14 on free throws.

Backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. was strong for the Rockets, as well, with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%) and 3-of-9 from 3-point range (33.3%).

For both teams, it was an immediate rematch in the same arena of Friday’s buzzer-beating thriller, which rookie Jabari Smith Jr. salvaged for the host Rockets with only 0.4 seconds left.

On Sunday, however, Smith struggled, scoring just 8 points in the rematch on 2-of-10 shooting (20.0%) and 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Second-year center Alperen Sengun had some struggles, as well, finishing with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists but shooting just 3-of-8 from the field (37.5%) while fouling out in 31 minutes.

Veteran stars Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum each scored 26 points on 50% shooting, while big man Jonas Valanciunas had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ingram also dished out 9 assists on a night when the Pelicans were sharp from 3-point range, making 13-of-31 (41.9%). By contrast, Houston shot just 9-of-33 from deep (27.3%).

The Rockets fell to 18-53 with the loss, and they remain in last place in the Western Conference. The Pelicans improved to 34-37 and remain in contention for a potential berth in the West’s play-in tournament, which would give them a chance to make the playoffs.

Next up for the Rockets is defending NBA champion Golden State, which visits Houston on Monday to wrap up a six-game homestand at Toyota Center. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. Central. Until then, here’s our look at Sunday’s highlights, analysis, postgame interviews, and more.

Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. enjoys ‘special moment’ of game winner

“I felt like I was in a video game,” #Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. says. “It was crazy. It was like I didn’t see anybody else. The gym went blank; it was just me and him.”

HOUSTON — The Rockets’ young and energetic team had every right to be excited about playing another game in front of their home crowd, coming off two big season wins against the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. They were also elated to have an opportunity to win three games in a row for the first time this season.

Yet, when they took the court Friday, it looked as if they were still stuck in the past two games. New Orleans raced out to a 26-12 lead midway through the first quarter, seemingly before the Rockets realized they were playing a game. They looked sluggish on defense, allowing the Pelicans to go 6-for-6 from 3-point range.

It seemed like one of those nights where Houston’s youth and inexperience would kick in, and New Orleans would run their rebuilding opponents off the court. By the third quarter, the Rockets were falling consistently victim to open jump shots by Brandon Ingram and physical post play from Jonas Valanciunas.

“For a while, JV (Jonas Valanciunas) was just going at us and posting us up,” said Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. “We tried to do different things, as far as Alpi (Alperen Sengun) and having Uz (Usman Garuba) guard him. In the second quarter, we put Bobi (Boban Marjanovic) on him for a little while. We double-teamed him. We did a little bit of everything.”

Adding to the problem, Houston’s young players seemingly allowed the officials to get inside their heads in the second and third quarters. It started to look like the rebuilding Rockets of old, who would often mentally check out of games when they faced adversity.

But this differs from the adolescent team the Pelicans defeated twice earlier this season. This team of young players has grown over the last eight games, in which they’ve posted a 5-3 record.

Over that time, the Rockets have built chemistry and morale, which are traits they can take with them into next season. On Friday, they never gave up hope. Even by 14 points with under 10 minutes left, Houston knew it had to get back to playing its brand of basketball.

For the Rockets, that brand is playing with hustle, grit, and determination. It’s something Pelicans head coach Willie Green said he expected Houston to do coming into Friday’s game.

“They are a young team, and they are talented,” Green said in his pregame press conference. “If you don’t take them seriously to start the game and have a level of discipline of how you approach the game, you can run into trouble real quick,”

Trouble is what New Orleans had over the game’s final nine minutes, as the Rockets went on a 23-13 run to cut the lead from 14 to just a point. After Ingram missed a shot, Kevin Porter Jr. was able to secure the rebound, leading to Houston’s timeout with 4.0 seconds left.

To inbound the ball, Silas elected to go with one of his better passers in forward Jae’Sean Tate. He looked things over and waited, hoping to find Porter or Jalen Green heading toward the basket.

But both options were closed off to Tate. Instead, he went with his final option of throwing the ball to Jabari Smith Jr. in the backcourt, who methodically advanced his way past midcourt.

Smith clapped his hands at a rapid pace, signaling Tate to pass him the ball. When he received it, he took two dribbles to his right and rose above 6-foot-7  forward Naji Marshall and buried a 3-pointer, giving the Rockets a 114-112 lead with 0.4 seconds remaining. That shot provided Houston with the winning margin after the Pelicans failed to inbound the ball over Marjanovic’s outstretched arms.

“I wasn’t the first option. But as the first few options weren’t open, I just flashed to the ball and just trusted myself,” said Smith, whose game-winning basket was his only shot attempt in the fourth quarter.

“I felt like I was in a video game. It was crazy. It was like I didn’t see anybody else. The gym went blank; it was just me and him. It was a special moment, for sure.”

Houston (18-52), which is now on its first three-game winning streak of the season, will look to extend its winning streak to four games when they face the Pelicans again on Sunday at Toyota Center. New Orleans (33-37) remains in the Western Conference playoff race.

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‘We needed something’: Frustration boils over for Rockets, ejected head coach Stephen Silas

“I don’t necessarily think me being off the floor makes us play better, but we needed something,” #Rockets coach Stephen Silas said after his early ejection in a tough loss at New Orleans.

Even with a short-handed roster, CJ McCollum and the Pelicans easily had enough to hold off visiting Houston during Wednesday’s uncompetitive 119-108 result (box score) in New Orleans. The Rockets, who lost head coach Stephen Silas early in the game due to an officiating rant, have now lost 10 of their last 11 games overall.

Houston (10-28) remains in last place in the Western Conference, while the Pelicans (24-14) are within a game of first place.

The Rockets were overwhelmed from the opening tipoff and trailed by as many as 31 points in the first half, though they made the final respectable amid strong efforts by Jabari Smith Jr. (14 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals) and KJ Martin (16 points, 7-of-7 shooting, 2 steals). The defensive effort appeared to improve under lead assistant John Lucas, who took over as acting coach after the departure of Silas.

It was a forgettable night for Houston’s starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, with both guards struggling defensively while combining to score 27 points on 9-of-26 shooting (34.6%).

That wasn’t nearly enough versus the Pelicans and McCollum, who scored a game-high 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting (47.6%) and 5-of-11 from 3-point range (45.5%) — all while dishing out 6 assists and not turning the ball over a single time. Veteran center Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.

Brandon Ingram (left great toe contusion) and Zion Williamson (right hamstring strain) were both out for New Orleans due to injury.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Smoothie King Center. Houston returns to action on Thursday night at home, with the tip from Toyota Center at 7 p.m. Central.

Pelicans, Jonas Valanciunas bully Rockets; Jalen Green stays efficient

Jonas Valanciunas and Jaxson Hayes owned the paint as the Pelicans pushed their way past the Rockets in Sunday’s blowout. Jalen Green led Houston with 17 points in 27 minutes.

Rookie guard Jalen Green continued his run of strong play with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting (46.2% FG) and 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%), but it wasn’t nearly enough to rescue the young Houston Rockets during a 130-105 demolition (box score) on Sunday night in New Orleans.

The Pelicans (28-40) had far more incentive to win than the last-place Rockets (17-51), since New Orleans has a very small lead on the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference — good for the final spot in the West’s play-in tournament for the 2022 playoffs. Needless to say, that extra incentive was quite evident when comparing the respective efforts.

Led by bruising center Jonas Valanciunas (32 points, 10 rebounds), the Pelicans bullied through a lethargic Houston defense lacking interior rim protection due to the slender Christian Wood (returning from an extended illness absence) and rookie backup Alperen Sengun.

Fellow frontcourt starter Jaxson Hayes added 21 points for the Pelicans, with both big men only required to play 27 minutes apiece. They combined to make 18-of-26 shots from the field (69.2%).

Wood grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds for Houston, but he shot just 3-of-9 from the field (33.3%) and scored only 8 points. Jae’Sean Tate, who also missed games of late with a sore left ankle, made his own return from injury and scored 14 points in 20 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%).

Rookie guard Josh Christopher (13 points, 55.6% FG) and veteran wing David Nwaba (15 points, 83.3% FG) took advantage of extended playing time in an uncompetitive game where not a single Houston player made it 30 minutes. Eric Gordon was a late scratch with right knee tendinitis, with Garrison Mathews as his starting lineup replacement.

Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.

NBA slot machine: Don’t be fooled by the star power in Warriors-Bucks

Golden State and Milwaukee are bottom-six teams in field goal percentage the last five games.

You’ve heard of slot machines, the casino staple that allows players to pull a lever or push a button for a random assortment of usually three symbols that sometimes combine for a prize. This is the sports betting version of that, three random bets that may hit on their own but can also be combined for a larger parlay prize. These picks are my favorite from across the day’s slate of games, chosen based on a combination of likelihood and value of odds. Good luck.

Odds are provided via Tipico

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