Tag: Tari Eason

Takeaways: In 10th straight home win, Tari Eason sparks Rockets vs. Spurs

Thanks largely to Tari Eason (18 points, 14 rebounds), the Rockets have won 10 consecutive games at home, and San Antonio has lost 17 straight, overall.

HOUSTON — In a sluggish shooting performance by both teams, the relentless energy of second-year forward Tari Eason led the Rockets past San Antonio in Monday’s 93-82 victory (box score).

For Houston (11-9), it was a 10th consecutive home win at Toyota Center. For San Antonio (3-19), it was a 17th straight overall loss.

The Rockets shot 32-of-93 overall (34.4%), while the Spurs were just 5-of-41 on 3-pointers (12.2%). Prized rookie Victor Wembanyama had 15 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots, though he hit just 1-of-6 from 3-point range (16.7%) and committed 5 turnovers.

For Houston, Eason finished with a team-high 18 points and 14 rebounds, making 8-of-16 shots (50.0% FG) and 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%). He also collected a pair of steals and assists, and the Rockets were +12 as a team during his 27 minutes played.

Other players of note for Houston included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 6 turnovers; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • Fred VanVleet: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers; 6-of-17 shooting (35.3%), 4-of-11 on 3-pointers (36.4%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 9 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists; 3-of-12 shooting (25.0%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Jalen Green: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 24 minutes (did not play in fourth quarter); 2-of-10 shooting (20.0%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
  • Jeff Green: 12 points, 2 rebounds in 10 minutes; 2-of-4 shooting, 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 7-of-7 on free throws

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Monday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is another home game on Wednesday versus Memphis (6-15), with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. Central from Toyota Center.

Takeaways: Aaron Holiday erupts vs. Thunder as Houston wins ninth straight at home

After defeating Oklahoma City, Houston’s home winning streak is now at nine games. Aaron Holiday scored 22 points and made 6-of-7 from 3-point range (85.7%).

HOUSTON — The home winning streak for the Rockets (9-9) is at nine games after Wednesday’s convincing 110-101 victory (box score) over the Oklahoma City Thunder (13-7).

Reserve guard Aaron Holiday had easily the best game of his Rockets tenure with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 27 minutes off the bench. Holiday connected on 6-of-7 shots from 3-point range (85.7%) at Toyota Center, which led the way in a strong 15-of-33 night (45.5%) for Houston’s 3-point shooting as a team.

Other standout players for the Rockets included:

  • Dillon Brooks: Team-high 23 points, 4 rebounds; 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 6 points, career-high 18 rebounds; 2-of-4 shooting (50%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 21 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks; 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%)
  • Jalen Green: 15 points, 7 rebounds; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 11 points, 9 assists, 3 steals; 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Tari Eason: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks; 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%), 3-of-4 on free throws (75%)

Sengun drew frequent double teams after a strong start, which helped lead to open 3-point shots for Holiday and others. Led by Smith and Sengun inside, Houston won the rebounding battle against Oklahoma City by a commanding margin, 53-30.

The Thunder were paced by star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 33 points, 6 assists and 6 steals while shooting 13-of-18 from the field (72.2%) and 7-of-9 on free throws (77.8%).

In a matchup of top-three picks from the 2022 NBA draft, Smith (No. 3) largely outplayed Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren (No. 2). The 7-foot-1 big man had a game-high 6 blocks but finished with just 4 points and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes, shooting 2-of-9 (22.2%) overall.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Wednesday’s game versus the Thunder, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is Friday’s game at Denver, with the tip set for 8 p.m. Central from Ball Arena.

Reaction: Luka Doncic edges out Alperen Sengun as Mavs knock Rockets from in-season tourney

Alperen Sengun had 31 points and 9 rebounds, but Luka Doncic and the Mavs took over late as Houston was eliminated from the NBA’s in-season tournament.

The Rockets (8-7, 2-2) were eliminated from NBA in-season tournament competition after Tuesday’s 121-115 loss (box score) to the Dallas Mavericks (11-6, 2-2) at American Airlines Center. Houston is now 0-6 in road games in the 2023-24 season to date.

With a 3-1 mark within the group, New Orleans advances to the quarterfinals stage out of Western Conference Group B.

All-Star guard and perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic led Dallas with a game-high 41 points and 9 assists, shooting 15-of-29 from the field (51.7%). Backcourt mate Kyrie Irving added 27 points and 5 assists, though Houston held him to 8-of-22 shooting (36.4%).

For the Rockets, who led by 9 points late in the third quarter before being outscored 37-27 in the fourth quarter, standouts included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 31 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists; 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%), 11-of-14 on free throws (78.6%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 12 assists, 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 6 fouls
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 16 points, 9 rebounds, 7-of-11 shooting (60.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 12 points, 4 assists, 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%)
  • Tari Eason: 11 points, 8 rebounds in 21 minutes; 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%)

The Rockets connected on just 8-of-27 from 3-point range (29.6%) as a team, which wasn’t enough versus a high-octane opponent.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews following Tuesday’s game in Dallas, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is night two of a road back-to-back on Wednesday in Denver (12-6), where tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. Central.

Rockets at Warriors, Nov. 20: Lineups, how to watch, injury reports, uniforms

Steph Curry led Golden State to a recent win in Houston, but the Warriors enter Monday’s rematch on a six-game skid. Draymond Green (suspension) remains out.

It was just over three weeks ago when Steph Curry blitzed the Rockets with a barrage of late 3-pointers at Toyota Center. That clutch road victory by the Golden State Warriors dropped Houston to a season-worst mark of 0-3 to begin the 2023-24 “Liftoff” campaign.

But led by new head coach Ime Udoka, Houston has improved dramatically in the weeks since, having won six of eight games after that loss. Monday’s matchup offers an opportunity for revenge against the most dominant franchise of the league’s current era.

At the moment, Golden State certainly isn’t looking like the legacy Warriors. They enter with six consecutive losses and are missing defensive ace Draymond Green due to a league suspension.

The Rockets aren’t playing poorly, but they enter with two straight losses. Both came in the final seconds in Los Angeles versus the Clippers (on Friday) and the Lakers (on Sunday).

After missing two weeks to start the season with a stress reaction in his left lower leg, reserve Rockets forward Tari Eason is expected to sit out in Golden State. It’s the second night of a back-to-back and the third game in four nights for Houston, which still has Eason on something of a minutes limitation as he works his way back.

Lakers at Rockets, Nov. 8: Lineups, how to watch, injury reports, uniforms

The Rockets have won three straight games, and Wednesday’s home showdown versus the Lakers could also mark the regular-season debut of Tari Eason.

Excluding a tiny sample of two games to start the 2021-22 season, the Houston Rockets (3-3) are currently at .500 or better for the first time since being 11-11 early in the 2020-21 season.

Their three-game winning streak, however, has had good scheduling fortune in the form of the lowly Charlotte Hornets and two games versus a Sacramento team missing All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox.

So, how real is Houston’s growth? Wednesday’s matchup versus LeBron James and the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers could put that to the test in front of a raucous home crowd at Toyota Center. As he’s done in the past for Memphis, Dillon Brooks appears quite happy to accept the assignment of defending James for the Rockets.

Some good news for the Rockets is that versatile forward Tari Eason, who earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors as a rookie, appears set to make his 2023-24 debut after missing the first six regular-season games with a stress reaction in his lower left leg.

Recovered from injury, Tari Eason set to rejoin Rockets’ rotation versus Lakers

After missing time with a stress reaction in his leg, Rockets forward Tari Eason will make his 2023-24 regular-season debut on Wednesday versus the Lakers.

After missing the first six games of the 2023-24 NBA season with a stress reaction in his lower left leg, reserve Rockets forward Tari Eason is likely to play Wednesday versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

Eason should play limited minutes, according to an update from head coach Ime Udoka at Tuesday’s practice in Houston.

“It looks like he’s going to play in the 15-minute-ish range,” Udoka said.

Eason averaged 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season, which earned him All-Rookie second-team honors. Even as a rookie, he was among Houston’s most valuable and versatile defenders.

“It’s going to help our defense a lot,” fellow second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. said of Eason’s return to the rotation.

“We know what Tari does,” Smith added. “It’s going to up our rebounding. He’s one of the best, or the best, offensive rebounder from his position. His energy, his will, his everything. … It’s just going to help us. We know how much he means to this team, he knows how much he means, and we’re just anxious to have him back.”

The Rockets (3-3) enter Wednesday’s showdown with the Lakers (3-4) on a three-game winning streak. Should they defeat Los Angeles, Houston would be above .500 for the first time since very early in the 2020-21 season. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central from Toyota Center.

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Injured forward Tari Eason expects to return very soon for Rockets

“I am looking to be back on the court very soon,” injured Rockets forward Tari Eason says. “We started getting on the court. We’re ramping up this week.”

HOUSTON — Playing basketball has always been the center of attention for Tari Eason, a second-year forward with the Rockets. He admitted he thinks about it constantly and is always looking for ways to improve and help any team he is playing on get better.

That is why the last three weeks of being unable to compete with his teammates have been frustrating for him.

When Indiana’s Jalen Smith rolled over on Eason’s leg in the preseason opener, Houston’s young forward suffered a stress reaction in his left lower leg. He competed in the following game, but it was the last action he saw during the preseason. It is the first significant injury he has suffered; Eason played in all 82 games as a rookie.

“I am looking to be back on the court very soon,” said Eason, who addressed his rehabilitation in a media availability session at Friday’s practice from Toyota Center. “We started getting on the court. We’re ramping up this week. We’re looking to get back soon.”

To keep himself mentally prepared to deal with the injury, Eason used the time to enjoy a gift his teammate Fred VanVleet had given him before the beginning of this year’s training camp.

“I read a book that Fred gave us,” Eason said when asked what he did to keep himself occupied. “It’s called ‘Chop Wood, Carry Water.’ It’s about falling in love with the process. That’s all I’m doing, falling in love with the process, knowing that regardless of this injury, it’s an opportunity for other things, good things to come out of it.”

Eason averaged 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season, which was good enough to earn him NBA All-Rookie second team honors. The Rockets still need his tenacity, as they have begun the season with a 1-3 record, mainly due to the lack of bench production.

“I definitely think I can help us from a rebounding standpoint,” Eason said about how he can help once he returns. “Playing a little faster while helping the second unit on transition defense.”

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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.

Rockets forward Tari Eason to miss weeks with stress reaction in leg

The #Rockets said Sunday that second-year forward Tari Eason will miss two-to-three weeks of the regular season with a stress reaction in his lower left leg.

Second-year forward Tari Eason missed the final three games of Houston’s 2023-24 preseason with what the Rockets called a lower left leg contusion. Now, it appears the absence will extend well into the regular season, which starts Wednesday night in Orlando.

At Sunday’s practice, head coach Ime Udoka said recent testing indicated a more serious injury, and Eason is now expected to miss the first two-to-three weeks of the regular season.

Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:

Eason missed the final three games of the preseason with what the Rockets called a contusion. Tests after Friday’s game indicated the more serious injury, often requiring more than the two-to-three-week time frame the Rockets estimated for Eason to return.

Eason, drafted No. 17 in the 2022 first round, was one of 10 NBA players to play all 82 games in last year’s regular season. A talented and versatile defender, Eason averaged 9.3 points (44.8% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers), 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 21.5 minutes.

With Eason sidelined, veteran forwards Jae’Sean Tate and Jeff Green appear in line to get larger roles off Houston’s bench.

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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.