#Rockets guard Jalen Green returned from a groin injury and played well in limited minutes, but Denver’s Jamal Murray was too much to handle in Houston’s 10th straight loss.
HOUSTON — The losing streak for the Rockets (13-48) is at 10 games after Tuesday’s 133-112 loss (box score) at Toyota Center. Led by 32 points from Jamal Murray, the victorious Denver Nuggets continue to own the Western Conference’s best record (44-19).
Murray, who was questionable to play pregame with a sore back, connected on 12-of-18 shots (66.7%) and 5-of-10 from 3-point range (50.0%). Following an historic 71-point outburst by Portland’s Damian Lillard on Sunday, it was the second straight game that Houston was torched by an opposing guard who shredded its defense.
Yet, when accounting for the superior competition, there were at least some positives for the young and rebuilding Rockets. For starters, they had Jalen Green successfully return from a groin injury, and Houston also expects to get injured backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. back in its lineup Wednesday versus Memphis.
While on a minutes limitation, Green was impressive with 17 points and 5 assists versus the Nuggets in 19 minutes, shooting 7-of-15 from the field (46.7%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%).
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Next up for the Rockets is part two of a tough back-to-back when Memphis visits Houston on Wednesday night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.
With 42 points on 12-of-17 shooting from 3-point range, Klay Thompson showed what he can still do as the Warriors routed Houston, 116-101. KJ Martin led the #Rockets with 22 points.
With starting guards Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jalen Green (left groin strain) still sidelined, the short-handed Houston Rockets lost their eighth straight game in Friday’s 116-101 loss (box score) at Golden State. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 42 points on a blistering 12-of-17 clip (70.6%) from 3-point range.
The Rockets (13-46) continue to own the NBA’s worst record, while the defending champion Warriors (30-30) evened their 2022-23 mark as they pursue a potential berth in the 2023 playoffs.
The Warriors were short-handed, as well, with absences including Draymond Green (right knee contusion), Andrew Wiggins (personal reasons), and superstar guard Steph Curry (lower leg sprain).
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Chase Center. Next up for Houston is Sunday night’s game at Portland, with tipoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Central.
Stephen Silas on Josh Christopher and TyTy Washington: “We need the ball handling and scoring, for sure. My response to them is always, ‘Stay ready; your time is coming.’” #Rockets
HOUSTON — The Rockets returned to the practice court Wednesday as they prepare for the NBA season’s final six weeks (24 games).
Porter has been sidelined for 17 games as he continues to heal from a toe injury, and Green went down with a strained groin in the last game before the All-Star break against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the tandem out, more playmaking responsibility will fall on players such as rookie point guard TyTy Washington and second-year shooting guard Josh Christopher.
“It is going to be a great opportunity,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said about the increased minutes for Washington and Christopher. “We need the ball handling and the scoring for sure. My response to them is always, ‘Stay ready; your time is coming.’”
“It’s been a little bit of an adjustment,” said Houston Rockets forward/guard Jae’Sean Tate when asked about his increased responsibility as a primary ball handler due to injuries in the Rockets backcourt. #LightTheFuse#Sarge@TheRocketsWirepic.twitter.com/ceeSLpDB3C
Houston will also rely heavily on forward/guard Jae’Sean Tate, who has taken over the point guard duties as a starter with Porter out and Eric Gordon being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“It has been a little bit of an adjustment,” Tate said when asked about the increased responsibility. “My entire career, I have been like a Swiss Army knife. Put me wherever is productive for the team. I have been learning a lot along the way with my coaches and trainers. So, it is just making me into a well-rounded basketball player.”
The Rockets may get one of their backcourt starters back before the team plays the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, but Silas did not specifically say which one it would be.
At a team level, the 2022-23 #Rockets season is one to forget. However, there are some individual bright spots, starting with Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and KJ Martin.
At the NBA’s All-Star break for its 2022-23 season, the numbers aren’t pretty for the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets.
Their 13-45 record is the worst in the NBA, as is Houston’s offensive rating (110.0). Their defensive rating (118.4) ranks 28th among the league’s 30 teams, and their net rating (-8.4) is No. 29.
Head coach Stephen Silas is in the final fully guaranteed season of his current contract, and questions have been raised whether he will be offered a second deal. Many fans have raised questions regarding general manager Rafael Stone as well.
Yet, it’s not as if the franchise is hopeless. For starters, they will have another high pick in what should be a strong 2023 NBA draft class, and they’re positioned to have the most salary cap space this offseason (up to $60 million, approximately) of any NBA team. That could help them attract marquee veterans, such as James Harden.
In addition, while the sum of the parts clearly hasn’t amounted to much this season — particularly given a void of veterans — there are some individual bright spots among the young prospects.
Among players averaging at least 10 minutes per game, here’s our individual grades. These grades are relative to expectations entering the season, i.e. a high grade for a bench player doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s outplayed a high-profile starter with a worse grade. It’s all relative to where each player began the 2022-23 campaign.
This list is sorted by total minutes, from most to least.
Including moves at February’s trade deadline, here’s a look at Houston’s active salaries and dead money entering a critical 2023 offseason. #Rockets
For the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets, their roster to finish the 2022-23 season is all about flexibility.
Much of the roster is comprised of highly touted draft prospects from recent years such as Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun. Because these players are on their initial NBA contracts, their annual salaries are relatively inexpensive by league standards.
Houston does have some veterans, but maintaining its salary cap space of roughly $60 million for a critical 2023 offseason was a priority in selecting who those veterans are.
For example, of the three veterans acquired and initially retained at the 2023 trade deadline — Danny Green, Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky — none has any guaranteed money owed beyond this season. Thus, for general manager Rafael Stone, their acquisition preserved the balance sheet as it’s been carefully set up over the years.
Here is Houston’s roster as the league year winds down. This list is sorted in ascending order from least to most, financially, during the 2022-23 season, according to HoopsHype salary data. Any potential earnings for each Rockets player as part of his current contract are noted beneath each photo.
Here’s where the #Rockets stand with their roster, coaching staff, and basketball operations department as the 2022-23 season winds down and a critical 2023 offseason approaches.
After the February 2023 trade deadline, the Houston Rockets remain one of the NBA’s youngest teams. Yet, they have something of a veteran presence after adding Danny Green, Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky as part of their complicated web of transactions.
While none has a contract beyond the 2022-23 season, the Rockets will acquire Bird rights for each. Thus, general manager Rafael Stone will have options moving forward.
By and large, the rebuilding Rockets have prioritized youth and salary flexibility in building their current group.
That’s why it’s a combination of highly touted prospects Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. along with veterans Danny Green, Holiday and Kaminsky expiring salaries. Sengun and Smith are on their initial NBA contracts, which inherently makes them cheaper for the time being.
That formula is likely to change this offseason, when Stone and the Rockets have approximately $60 million in salary cap space to build a roster around those talented young prospects. They will need to explore contract extensions and raises for many of their young players in the coming years. For now, they’re making the best of another challenging season by staying flexible with the roster.
Here’s a look at where the Houston roster and basketball operations staff currently stands, along with jersey numbers and other relevant information for each player. All ages are as of Feb. 14, 2023.
#Rockets veterans Eric Gordon and Jae’Sean Tate are drawing interest from several teams as the NBA trade deadline nears, per @KellyIko of The Athletic.
Houston Rockets veterans Eric Gordon and Jae’Sean Tate are drawing interest from multiple teams as Thursday’s trade deadline for the 2022-23 NBA season approaches, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Teams showing interest in Gordon include the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns. Those interested in Tate include the Suns, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards, Iko reports.
In theory, the rebuilding Rockets could use a trade of either player to open playing time for younger players, such as rookie Tari Eason, while consolidating their roster ahead of 2023 free agency. With up to $60 million in salary cap space and two 2023 first-round draft picks, Houston is likely to bring in significant talent this offseason, which could make freeing up minutes a priority.
On paper, the 34-year-old Gordon feels like a better trade candidate than the 27-year-old Tate for a rebuilding franchise. However, the details make it more complicated. For example, simply keeping Gordon and having the option of letting him drop off Houston’s salary books this offseason — there’s effectively a team option on his contract for 2023-24 — is better than taking back long-term salary in a deal.
As for the circumstances that Rockets general manager Rafael Stone might trade Gordon, Iko writes:
If a team comes in offering either a future first-round pick, an interesting young player, or another defensive-minded veteran on team-friendly money who could kickstart their climb back up the ladder, Gordon’s days as a Rocket would be over.
Note the clear emphasis on contract structures. Young players are inherently less expensive, and the term “team-friendly money” speaks for itself. The question is whether Gordon, at 34, carries enough trade value to fetch that type of return — and without a team offloading less desirable salary to match Gordon’s $19.6 million cap figure.
If not, it sounds as if the Rockets are content to keep Gordon on the roster and roll his situation into the summer. At that point, they would have multiple options, including simply letting him go for cap space or perhaps keeping him around as a veteran role player that could be paired with another external addition (say, James Harden).
In the event there is no trade, Iko writes Gordon is not expected to pursue a contract buyout from the Rockets.
With the trade deadline a little over 24 hours away, here’s what I’m hearing about the Houston Rockets.
Unlike Gordon, there’s no age pressure for the Rockets to deal Tate. However, the 27-year-old’s friendly contract terms — two years are still left after this season — might bolster the market for Tate, who could help a number of playoff teams with defense and leadership.
“As is the case with any player, if there was a ‘can’t-turn-down’ type offer, it would be considered,” Iko writes.
Trading Tate would lessen but not eliminate Houston’s roster crunch and perhaps open more salary cap room for the 2023 offseason. However, because he’s clearly one of the team’s best defensive players and a valued voice in the locker room, Stone and the Rockets will likely have a lofty asking price.
Iko also reports trade interest in 22-year-old forward KJ Martin and 21-year-old guard Josh Christopher. However, given their ages and the fact both are on very cheap contracts (under $2.5-million annually, since these are their first NBA deals), there wouldn’t seem to be a clear incentive for the team to move them.
Both Martin and Christopher are already under contract for the 2023-24 season. Thus, there’s no risk of either leaving the Rockets over the offseason for no compensation.
Iko said Houston isn’t interested in trading Martin, a second-round pick from the 2020 NBA draft, for another second-round pick. In other words, Stone would need to be blown away by the value.
The #Rockets were uncompetitive from the outset at Oklahoma City, but rookie TyTy Washington scored a career-high 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%).
The Rockets were crushed from the outset on Saturday in Oklahoma City, though rookie guard TyTy Washington scored a career-high 20 points in 25 minutes on 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%). Led by a game-high 42 points from Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, it was just the second win for the Thunder (25-27) in their last seven games versus Houston.
After losing at home Friday to Toronto, it was the second night of a back-to-back for the short-handed Rockets (13-40), who had Eric Gordon and Jae’Sean Tate sitting out for planned maintenance in a staggering 153-121 final (box score). Starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) missed his 12th straight game, as well.
Second-year guard Jalen Green returned from his three-game absence with a right calf contusion but struggled, scoring 12 points on just 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%) and 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%). Like most of the Rockets, as evidenced by the highest point total in the history of Oklahoma City basketball, he struggled defensively.
Rookie forward Tari Eason added 18 points and 8 rebounds in 25 minutes off the Houston bench on 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), while Josh Christopher continued his strong run of play with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%) and 2-of-2 on 3-pointers over his 28 minutes.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston is a pair of home games versus Sacramento on Monday and Wednesday, with both tipoffs at 7 p.m. Central.
Fred VanVleet led Toronto to a road win, but #Rockets reserve Josh Christopher made his case for more playing time with a season-high 15 points (87.5% FG) in 19 minutes.
Fred VanVleet and the Raptors shook off a slow start and an early 13-point deficit in rallying to Friday’s comfortable road victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, 117-111 (box score).
VanVleet led the Raptors (24-30) with a game-high 32 points on Friday, including 10-of-22 from the field (45.5%) and 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%). Toronto hit 15-of-39 from 3-point range (38.5%) as a team, which gave them a significant math advantage versus the Rockets, who shot just 7-of-21 (33.3%) from distance.
Key statistics for the Rockets (13-39) included:
Eric Gordon: Season-high 28 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds; 10-of-15 shooting (66.7%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
For Christopher, who had scored 11 points in each of Houston’s previous two games (both wins), it was his third consecutive outing with a season-high scoring total off the bench. As for Gordon, a 34-year-old veteran, he’s continuing a strong run of form leading up to next Thursday’s trade deadline — when he could be a desired target for playoff contenders elsewhere around the league.
Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jalen Green (right calf contusion) each had their multi-game injury absences continue, though Green could return Saturday in Oklahoma City. Their absences have left a vacancy that Christopher, a first-round pick from the 2021 NBA draft, has successfully filled after being out of the rotation used by head coach Stephen Silas for most of this season.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston is the second half of its back-to-back on Saturday in Oklahoma City. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.
“All I needed was time and opportunity to showcase what I could do,” Tari Eason said. “Tonight showed that a lot of guys in here are going to keep fighting.” #Rockets
The Houston Rockets faced a mountain of adversity as they stepped inside the Little Caesars Arena to play the Detroit Pistons.
They knew for a while they would be without head coach Stephen Silas due to his attendance at a memorial service for his father, Paul Silas, who passed away approximately six weeks ago. It was also clear the Rockets would be without starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr., who suffered a foot injury earlier this month.
They were not, however, expecting to take the court without their two leading scorers, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, however. Both were ruled out before the game, with Green suffering from a right calf contusion and Sengun sidelined by a non-COVID illness.
Down three starters and a coach would make even the NBA’s best teams wonder if they could win under those circumstances. Yet, the young Rockets, led by Eric Gordon’s season-high 24 points, rallied late in the fourth quarter to defeat Detroit, 117-114 (box score).
“Ninety-five percent of it was about effort and hustle,” said John Lucas II, who filled the head coach’s role in Silas’ absence.
#Rockets beat the Pistons 117-114 Tari Eason 16 PTS & 10 REB in his 3rd career start
Lucas could have been talking about the ferocity that Gordon played with, or the tenacity shown by Jabari Smith Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, Josh Christopher and Usman Garuba throughout the game. In the back of his mind, though, all he could see was the consistent play displayed by young forwards KJ Martin and Tari Eason.
Eason’s strong early play helped the Rockets overcome some rough spots on Saturday. His 10 first-half points and 7 rebounds helped Houston take a 59-57 lead into halftime after trailing most of the way.
Eason finished with the third double-double of his career, collecting 16 points and 10 rebounds in Detroit. Eason has now scored 10-plus points in four of the last five games he has played.
“I know basketball is a game of runs,” Eason said postgame after defeating the Pistons. “All I needed was time and opportunity just to showcase what I could do. You can go one of two ways. You can give up or you can keep fighting. Tonight showed that a lot of guys in here, including myself, are going to keep fighting.”
“Keep fighting” also appeared to be the mantra that teammate Martin had stuck in his mind against the Pistons.
Starting his ninth straight game, Martin’s late-game heroics — along with 15 points and 13 rebounds — helped Houston (12-36) secure its second win in four games after a brutal 13-game losing streak.
For Martin, it was his second double-double in Houston’s last three games. During those nine starts, he is averaging 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 70.2% from the field.
With Houston trailing Detroit, 112-109, with 38.5 seconds left to play, Lucas seemingly called the perfect play for Martin. Knowing most of the focus would be on Gordon with the ball in his hands, Martin faked a screen and slipped to the basket, where Gordon hit him in stride. He was fouled at the rim as the shot fell.
Martin missed the free throw, but Tate retrieved the missed shot. After his shot attempt failed, Martin followed the ball for an easy putback, giving the Rockets a 113-112 lead.
“I felt like once we got stops and our offense got going, the game opened up,” Martin said in his on-court interview postgame.
Houston will now have three days off before taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.
