Tag: Mason Jones

Rockets reaction: Christian Wood, Mason Jones post big numbers in shorthanded loss to Spurs

Christian Wood led the way with 24 points, 18 points, and 3 blocks, while rookie guard Mason Jones scored 24 in his debut as an NBA starter.

The Houston Rockets won Thursday at San Antonio with an extremely shorthanded roster. In Saturday’s rematch, they couldn’t repeat the feat with a roster that somehow became even more undermanned.

Of Thursday’s nine players, Sterling Brown and DeMarcus Cousins were each held out Saturday due to leg injuries, and recent trade acquisition Victor Oladipo wasn’t activated in time. John Wall (sore left knee), Eric Gordon (left lower leg tightness), and Danuel House Jr. (self-isolating) all remained out, as well, though head coach Stephen Silas indicated that some of those veterans could return by Monday’s game in Chicago.

Fellow newcomer Rodions Kurucs was cleared just before tipoff, giving Houston the required eighth active player to play. But the Rockets (4-7) ran out of steam as the game moved along, scoring just 38 points in the second half after putting up 30 in the first quarter alone.

Christian Wood led the way with 24 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while rookie Mason Jones — starting for Brown — scored 24 points on 6-of-8 shooting (75.0%) from 3-point range. Backcourt mate Ben McLemore added 21 points on 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%) on 3-pointers.

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Here’s what Jones said postgame, regarding his strong showing:

It was really special. A lot of people thought I wasn’t really capable of playing in this league. A lot of people thought my athleticism wasn’t going to translate. But I just know how to play the game. I know how to get my shot off, and also get people involved, and that just helps me get my shots open, like today.

But it really doesn’t mean a lot when we don’t get the dub. So, it was a good chance to really seize the opportunity, but at the end of the day, I just want the W.

But as hot as Houston’s starting guards were, its forwards were equally cold. Jae’Sean Tate and PJ Tucker combined to score just 11 points on 3-of-20 shooting (15.0%), including 0-of-7 on 3-pointers.

The Spurs (7-6) were led in Saturday’s 103-91 win (box score) by 24 points from veteran forward DeMar DeRozan. See below for a compilation of the postgame reaction from the Houston locker room.

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Rockets at Spurs: Lineups, injury reports, and broadcast info for Saturday

John Wall and Danuel House are out, Eric Gordon is questionable, and DeMarcus Cousins is doubtful. Recent trade acquisitions are uncertain.

The Houston Rockets had an inspiring victory in San Antonio on Thursday night, in large part due to overcoming the odds with an extremely shorthanded roster featuring only nine active players. Christian Wood led the way with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots.

Two days later, they might be asked to do it all over again.

As of late Friday, the Rockets did not know if any reinforcements would arrive in time for Saturday’s rematch with the Spurs at AT&T Center. The NBA is conducting these mini-series during the 2020-21 regular season to minimize travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rotation fixtures John Wall (sore left knee) and Danuel House Jr. (health and safety protocols) are again listed as out, while Eric Gordon (left lower leg tightness) is questionable. Gordon was also initially listed as questionable for Thursday before sitting out. DeMarcus Cousins is new to Houston’s injury report with right ankle soreness, and he’s doubtful.

Here’s when you should tune in to see Saturday’s game:

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 16
  • Time: 4:00 p.m. Central
  • TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
  • Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)

Probable starting lineups

Houston Rockets (4-6)

  • Guard: Sterling Brown
  • Guard: Ben McLemore
  • Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
  • Forward: PJ Tucker
  • Center: Christian Wood

San Antonio Spurs (6-6)

  • Guard: Dejounte Murray
  • Guard: Lonnie Walker IV
  • Forward: Keldon Johnson
  • Forward: DeMar DeRozan
  • Center: LaMarcus Aldridge

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Of Houston’s three newly acquired players connected to the blockbuster James Harden trade, Dante Exum is likely unavailable until March with a calf strain. That leaves guard Victor Oladipo from Indiana and forward Rodions Kurucs from Brooklyn. Oladipo, however, had yet to be formally traded as of late Friday, since the Rockets are flipping Caris LeVert (who they acquired from the Nets in the Harden deal) to Indiana for Oladipo.

Before that separate transaction can be processed, all players in the initial trade have to complete their physicals, and it’s unclear whether that will happen in time for an afternoon game on Saturday.

Should the new acquisitions not be cleared, Houston could be down to the NBA’s minimum of eight active players. Rookie reserves Mason Jones and KJ Martin Jr., who each impressed on Thursday in their first game as a rotation player, may need to play even more minutes Saturday.

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Rockets reaction: Christian Wood, Sterling Brown, Jae’Sean Tate lead ‘special win’ at Spurs

On the same day as the James Harden trade and with four expected rotation players out, Houston rallied late to win at San Antonio.

In a feel-good victory following a chaotic two days, the undermanned Rockets finished Thursday’s game on a 19-6 run to defeat the host San Antonio Spurs, 109-105 (box score). It was the first road win of the 2020-21 season for Houston and new head coach Stephen Silas.

Superstar guard James Harden was officially traded earlier in the day, and new acquisitions Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, and Rodions Kurucs haven’t yet had time to complete physicals and join the team. The Rockets had only nine active players, with rotation fixtures John Wall (sore left knee), Eric Gordon (lower left leg tightness), Danuel House Jr. (health and safety protocols) all sidelined, as well.

Nonetheless, the shorthanded Rockets (4-6) still found a way to shake off a two-game losing streak and defeat the Spurs (6-6), who entered having won four of five games. Big man Christian Wood led Houston with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks, and he made 5-of-7 (71.4%) from behind the 3-point arc. Sterling Brown started for Wall and had 23 points (52.9% FG) and 7 rebounds, while rookie forward Jae’Sean Tate had the first double-double of his career with 13 points and 10 assists.

With Houston severely short on options, rookies Mason Jones and KJ Martin combined for 15 points off the bench on 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%). For both players, it was their first NBA action as rotation players.

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Meanwhile, strong defense by veteran forward PJ Tucker helped limit San Antonio’s leading scorer on the season, DeMar DeRozan, to just 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%). With Tucker forcing him into a contested fadeaway, DeRozan missed a shot in the final seconds that could have tied the game. Tucker then made both free throws after securing the rebound, which iced the game and provided the final margin.

Here’s a sampling of Thursday’s postgame reaction from a joyous Houston locker room. The Rockets and Spurs will meet again on the same AT&T Center court on Saturday afternoon for an immediate rematch.

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Here is the projected rotation for the Rockets after trading James Harden

The Houston Rockets traded away 2018 NBA MVP James Harden in a blockbuster deal. But what will the new version of this team look like?

The Houston Rockets traded away 2018 NBA MVP James Harden in a blockbuster deal. But what will the new version of this team look like?

Under first-year head coach Stephen Silas, Houston will run their offense through John Wall and Christian Wood. They will also incorporate two-time NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo, who was acquired from the Indiana Pacers in the deal as well.

Overall, this move was more focused on the future than the present, as the Rockets landed a total of four unprotected first-rounders and four unprotected pick swaps.

There were also immediate financial implications considering, as noted by our own Yossi Gozlan, Houston went from $5.2 million over the luxury tax to $3.7 million under the tax. Houston can also generate a traded player exception worth $10.7 million if they want to continue tweaking this roster, per Gozlan.

Below, however, as what the rotation looks like for the Rockets after trading away their longtime superstar:

Here is the projected rotation for the Rockets after trading James Harden

The Houston Rockets traded away 2018 NBA MVP James Harden in a blockbuster deal. But what will the new version of this team look like?

The Houston Rockets traded away 2018 NBA MVP James Harden in a blockbuster deal. But what will the new version of this team look like?

Under first-year head coach Stephen Silas, Houston will run their offense through John Wall and Christian Wood. They will also incorporate two-time NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo, who was acquired from the Indiana Pacers in the deal as well.

Overall, this move was more focused on the future than the present, as the Rockets landed a total of four unprotected first-rounders and four unprotected pick swaps.

There were also immediate financial implications considering, as noted by our own Yossi Gozlan, Houston went from $5.2 million over the luxury tax to $3.7 million under the tax. Houston can also generate a traded player exception worth $10.7 million if they want to continue tweaking this roster, per Gozlan.

Below, however, as what the rotation looks like for the Rockets after trading away their longtime superstar:

John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins frustrated by NBA’s quarantine ruling

After missing a week despite testing negative for COVID-19, the former All-Stars didn’t hide their displeasure with the situation.

Former All-Stars John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins returned to the Houston Rockets at Wednesday’s practice, which will allow them to finally make their 2020-21 season debuts on Thursday versus Sacramento.

They had hoped, of course, to be with the Rockets when the regular season began last week. However, the NBA league office subjected them to a seven-day quarantine after finding that they had been in close proximity to teammate KJ Martin Jr. during a haircut session. Martin, as it was later discovered, was positive for COVID-19 at the time.

That seven-day absence caused Wall and Cousins to miss Houston’s initial two games, both losses. But as of Wednesday, their quarantine was completed, and they’re back with the team moving forward.

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Nonetheless, it clearly made for a frustrating ordeal, especially since each player repeatedly tested negative throughout the process. Here’s what both had to say about the subject after Wednesday’s practice.

John Wall:

I was mad. I ain’t gonna cap, I was hot. …

I didn’t do anything wrong. All I did was get a haircut in my apartment. One of my teammates tested positive the next day. The next four or five tests I had all came back negative.

It was me and three people getting a haircut. Like, I can’t get a haircut? I’d rather cut it in my apartment than be in a barbershop somewhere, where random people are coming in constantly. Even the barber tested negative. That was the frustrating thing… I was getting ready for shootaround and had just worked out, and they came out here and got me and said, ‘You’ve got to get off the court, you’ve got to go home for seven days of quarantine.’ I’m like, ‘What?’

DeMarcus Cousins, with initial sarcasm:

Oh, I was excited. I loved it. I had a blast at home. [laughs]

I think y’all saw my tweet, so we’ll leave it at that. …

It was tough. It’s tough in general, to be sitting around for seven days. No type of activity, just in quarantine. It’s tough for any person, but especially a professional athlete. Sitting at home for seven days straight, then jumping back into a full-speed practice or game… there’s not a lot of positive things on that side. Like I said [on Twitter], maneuver through the BS, and make the best of what you can.

With Wall and Cousins both expected to play, the Rockets return to action on Thursday night for their first home game of the 2020-21 regular season. Tipoff between the Rockets (0-2) and Kings (3-1) is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Central from Toyota Center, with the game televised on AT&T SportsNet Southwest throughout usual Houston markets.

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Mike Davis vs. Mason Jones added to UFC Fight Night card on Jan. 20

Two-division Cage Warriors champion Mason Jones will draw a stern test in his UFC debut when he meets Mike Davis on Jan. 20.

Two-division Cage Warriors champion [autotag]Mason Jones[/autotag] has drawn a stern test in his UFC debut.

Jones (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will face [autotag]Mike Davis[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on Jan. 20, which takes place on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

People with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Island was the first to report the news Tuesday.

Undefeated Welshman Jones became a two-division Cage Warriors champion in 2020 before signing his first contract with the UFC. He stopped Joe McColgan to capture the vacant lightweight title at Cage Warriors 113 in March, then added the vacant welterweight title with a finish of Adam Proctor at Cage Warriors 116 in September, before issuing an impassioned call to Dana White to sign him to the UFC.

Davis hasn’t competed since October 2019, when he knocked out Thomas Gifford at UFC on ESPN+ 19 in one of the most one-sided beatings in UFC history. The win marked Davis’ first in the UFC.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Jan. 20 includes:

  • Leon Edwards vs. TBD
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
  • Francisco Figueredo vs. Jerome Rivera
  • Dean Barry vs. Mike Jackson
  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera
  • Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Jeffrey Molina
  • Lerone Murphy vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
  • Vinicius Moreira vs. Ike Villanueva
  • Manon Fiorot v. Victoria Leonardo
  • Mike Davis vs. Mason Jones

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John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Gordon likely to return Wednesday

Assuming negative COVID-19 tests, Wall, Cousins, Gordon, and rookie Mason Jones will be eligible to end their quarantines on Wednesday.

Assuming continued negative COVID-19 tests, four quarantined members of the Houston Rockets are set to rejoin the team at Wednesday’s practice and play on Thursday night at home versus Sacramento.

Those players are veteran guards John Wall and Eric Gordon; center DeMarcous Cousins; and rookie Mason Jones. Following contact tracing, all were deemed to be close contacts of a positive case — though to this point, none have tested positive themselves. All are under seven-day quarantines, per the NBA’s new health and safety protocols.

The timetable means that Wall, Gordon, Cousins, and Jones will each miss two games — Saturday night in Portland, and Monday night in Denver. It would have been a three-game absence, but Wednesday’s scheduled game was postponed due to Houston lacking enough active players.

There is no known return date for Ben McLemore and KJ Martin Jr., who each reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus and are self-isolating. However, the shorthanded Rockets should receive a huge boost when the larger group of contact tracing absences is cleared.

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Stephen Silas says Jae’Sean Tate already stands out for Rockets

“The one guy that stands out the most that people don’t really know of and doesn’t get the notoriety is Jae’Sean Tate,” Silas said.

When asked about young players at Houston Rockets training camp for the 2020-21 NBA season, head coach Stephen Silas said Tuesday that there was one clear standout after the team’s first three practices.

“The one guy that stands out the most that people don’t really know of and doesn’t get the notoriety is Jae’Sean Tate, who played overseas in Australia and has really been a pleasant surprise,” Silas said.

“He has good size, he can play multiple positions on both ends of the floor. He’s an exciting player that I think everybody will enjoy watching.”

Silas said rookie guards Brodric Thomas and Mason Jones had also shown encouraging signs early in training camp at Toyota Center.

Now 25 years old, Tate played for the Sydney Kings last season in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), where the team’s head coach was new Houston assistant Will Weaver. Tate signed a free agent contract with the Rockets in the 2020 offseason for up to three years.

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Tate played his college basketball at Ohio State (2014-2018) before joining the Antwerp Giants (2018-19) in Belgium and then Sydney (2019-20) last season. While he’s only 6-foot-4, he weighs 230 pounds and is strong and versatile enough to play on the front line.

Here’s how John Hollinger of The Athletic described Tate as part of a recent scouting report on free agents at small forward:

The Ohio State product had a massive year in Australia after a solid 2019 Summer League; as such, he’s quickly become one of the most highly-regarded players based outside the U.S. … Tate is listed at just 6-4 but has a strong frame and plus athleticism; he is comfortable battling in the paint and actually played power forward in Australia. His 3-point shot (40.5 percent in Australia last year, just 27.7 percent in college) will be the swing skill for him.

Tate’s rugged strength and versatility could fit well in Houston, where 6-foot-5 forward P.J. Tucker has been valued immensely in recent years.

Friday’s preseason opener in Chicago will represent the first game opportunity for prospects like Tate, Brown, and Thomas to make a further impression. With superstar guard James Harden likely unavailable after a delayed start to training camp and the league’s COVID-19 entry protocols, that could lead to additional minutes for younger players.

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New Rockets guard Mason Jones watched James Harden closely

“It’s just the people I watch, you know,” Jones said of his approach. “I’m watching Luka. I’m watching Manu. I’m watching James Harden.

The Houston Rockets are signing undrafted free agent Mason Jones to a two-way contract, as first reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

A 6-foot-5 guard, Jones played his college basketball at Arkansas, where he led the SEC in scoring last season. In all, Jones averaged 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the Razorbacks.

Though he’s not an extreme athlete, the 22-year-old was among the best college guards last season at scoring inside and drawing fouls. In a Q&A with Rookie Wire’s Bryan Kalbrosky, Jones credited current Rockets star James Harden as someone he watched to develop his game.

Here are relevant portions of the Q&A:

You also shot 75.6 percent at the rim, which was the best among high-major players 6-foot-5 or shorter. Did you pick up a lot of that from watching Doncic and Ginobili as well?

MJ: It’s just the people I watch, you know. I’m watching Luka. I’m watching Manu. I’m watching James Harden. As you can see, Harden is not really doing a lot of dunking. He does a lot of more finesse layups or he uses his body to get the defender off and get the fouls. That’s when I really knew I was moving to become elite at foul drawing. Like I knew I could get people to foul me when I started really watching James Harden and watching what he was doing and I started to do it. I started to add it to my game. It just skyrocketed.

You drew 8.1 fouls per 40 minutes, which was the most in the nation. What are some of the strategies that you use to get to get to the free-throw line so often?

MJ: Yeah, I’ve definitely picked that up watching Harden. If you watch back film on me, he used to always do a double between to see what his defender was doing with his hips. He’ll always get lower than the hips of the defender. And when I was watching that a lot, I was like, “Okay, I see.” Once he went past the defender, the defender only had two choices: let him get the layup or a foul.

Once I learned that, I was unstoppable. I really took advantage and I ran with it. That’s the difference between me and a lot of players. This game, it’s not a game to me. I’m here for business and I want to be great. I have a lot of things that I want to still show. What can I do better? That’s exactly what I want to add. You can see that in the game that I played in college basketball this year, doing numbers that people haven’t seen in 20 years. It’s just incredible. But I still got downplayed. But it will all translate to the next level. I’m only getting better.

The complete Q&A with Jones can be read here. He finished as the No. 29 overall prospect on Kalbrosky’s final big board.

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