Tag: Tyty Washington

With Daishen Nix ill, TyTy Washington takes advantage of first rotation minutes in Houston

With Daishen Nix under the weather, #Rockets rookie TyTy Washington took advantage of his first rotation minutes at point guard with 5 assists and 0 turnovers in 12 minutes.

It hasn’t been the best season for second-year Rockets guard Daishen Nix. In 15 minutes per game as Houston’s backup point guard, Nix is averaging 3.8 points, 2.6 assists and 1.4 turnovers while shooting just 35.3% overall and 37.9% on two-pointers.

In Thursday’s home game versus Miami, Nix was under the weather, according to head coach Stephen Silas. That created an opportunity for rookie guard TyTy Washington, who may have done enough to earn an encore performance with the Rockets.

In 12 reserve minutes, Washington hit 1-of-2 shots while dishing a career-high 5 assists, and he didn’t commit a turnover.

In postgame comments, Silas addressed his performance:

He did a good job. He ran the show. He got to his floater. He made plays for his teammates. Five assists, zero turnovers, that’s pretty good for his first taste. I thought he was a little uncomfortable early, but he settled in and did a good job.

Washington shared his excitement, as well:

It felt good. It felt like a dream come true. I’m just really blessed to be in this position. It was really fun. Unfortunately we didn’t get the job done, and we lost.

“It’s still basketball, at the end of the day,” he concluded.

The Rockets return to action Saturday at home versus Portland. While it is unclear if Nix will be available, it shouldn’t be a shock if Washington at least earns another look.

[lawrence-related id=106865,108257]

[listicle id=108255]

Rockets status updates: Kevin Porter Jr. questionable, TyTy Washington back with team

Rookie guard TyTy Washington is back with the #Rockets after a stint with Houston’s NBA G League affiliate, and he could prove useful now that Kevin Porter Jr.’s status is in question.

Rookie guard TyTy Washington is back with the Rockets after a stint with Houston’s NBA G League affiliate, and he could prove useful with Kevin Porter Jr.’s status in question.

Porter, Houston’s starting point guard, is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game in San Antonio due to right knee soreness. If he is unavailable, second-year guard Daishen Nix is the backup at that position and could see an enlarged role against the Spurs.

However, should that occur, there’s no one behind Nix on the depth chart. Enter Washington, a rookie out of Kentucky who averaged 20.2 points (48.3% FG, 37.3% on 3-pointers) and 4.7 assists in 31.7 minutes with the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers.

“He is back now,” head coach Stephen Silas said at Wednesday’s practice, as relayed by Coty M. Davis of Inside the Rockets. “And we will see if we can get him some minutes.”

“He has done a good job down there,” Silas said of Washington, who helped lead the Vipers to an 8-3 record. “He has made plays for himself, his teammates, and his defense has been good.”

Washington was drafted at No. 29 in the 2022 first round with a pick that was effectively acquired as part of a series of trades that sent last year’s starting center, Christian Wood, to Dallas.

Beyond Porter, reserve big man Bruno Fernando (non-COVID illness) and second-year guard Josh Christopher (left knee contusion) are also questionable for Thursday. Jae’Sean Tate remains sidelined indefinitely with right ankle soreness as has been the case for weeks.

Tipoff between the Rockets (7-17) and Spurs (6-18) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Central from the AT&T Center. Houston enters with four wins in its last seven games, and Porter is the team’s assists leader and second-leading scorer for the 2022-23 season to date.

[lawrence-related id=107849,107817]

[mm-video type=video id=01gkj0k7rs3091fkvvn4 playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gkj0k7rs3091fkvvn4/01gkj0k7rs3091fkvvn4-9f4004710c74f1095147e11a0716df63.jpg]

[listicle id=107789]

TyTy Washington drops Bruno Caboclo in NBA G League; Twitter explodes

In an NBA G League matchup, fans reacted with astonishment after seeing #Rockets rookie TyTy Washington drop Bruno Caboclo to the floor with an impressive move.

Rockets rookie TyTy Washington, drafted at No. 29 in the 2022 first round out of Kentucky, is beginning his career as the starting point guard for Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers. And he’s already making quite an impression.

In Monday’s road game against the Capitanes, Washington dropped Mexico City big man Bruno Caboclo — formerly a member of the Rockets — to the ground with an epic move before drilling a 3-pointer. It reminded many on social media of the legendary crossover performed by James Harden on Clippers guard Wesley Johnson during the former’s 2017-18 MVP season with Houston.

Washington has quite a ways to go to reach those lofty heights, but he is off to a good start in the G League. In Monday’s game (box score), Washington scored 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%) and 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%) while also recording 5 rebounds, 4 assists, no turnovers and leading his team to a road victory.

Here’s a look at Washington’s move against Caboclo, along with how fans reacted across Twitter and social media.

TyTy Washington to begin career with Houston’s G League affiliate

#Rockets guard TyTy Washington has recovered from his sprained knee, but he’ll start his rookie season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League.

Rockets guard TyTy Washington has recovered from his sprained left knee, but he’ll start his rookie season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s G League affiliate. The Vipers’ next game is their home opener on Friday night in Edinburg, Texas.

Drafted at No. 29 in the 2022 first round, Washington isn’t at the level of prospect that typically plays an immediate NBA rotation role, barring rare circumstances. Thus, the 20-year-old from the University of Kentucky will be given an opportunity with the Vipers to play much more frequently than he would have with the Rockets.

“He just needs to play,” general manager Rafael Stone told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “We very obviously value the G League. Almost all of our players have spent real extensive time down there. It’s more of an abnormality for people not to. He’s coming off an injury. He needs to get back in game shape and play minutes. Right now, we don’t have that opportunity for him here.”

The hope is that more regular playing time for Washington, even in the G League rather than the NBA, will be more advantageous to his development than a sporadic role with the Rockets. Washington did play with the Rockets in the preseason, albeit not in a primary rotation role, until injuring his knee in the Oct. 14 exhibition finale.

Washington will likely rejoin the Rockets later in the season, as was the case last year with Josh Christopher and Usman Garuba, who were picked at No. 23 and No. 24 in the 2021 first round.

[lawrence-related id=106082,102789]

[listicle id=106842]

Full Houston Rockets 17-player payroll for 2022-23 NBA season

Now that Houston’s roster is set for the 2022-23 regular season, here’s an updated look at what each #Rockets player will make financially this season.

The Houston Rockets remain one of the youngest teams in the NBA. Yet, entering what is considered by most as the third season of a franchise rebuild, clear signs of optimism are emerging.

The optimism starts with second-year guard Jalen Green, who looks to have picked up where he left off in his dynamic 2021-22 rookie season. In case you forgot, that’s when he finished with an historic scoring burst that led to a spot on the league’s All-Rookie first team.

There’s also Jabari Smith Jr., selected by Houston at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft. For Smith, this season offers an opportunity to justify that lofty draft placement and show his potential as a future franchise cornerstone alongside Green.

Combine that duo with promising young players like Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, KJ Martin and recently extended guard Kevin Porter Jr., and it’s easy to see the reasons for optimism. That youth is also why the Rockets are a relatively inexpensive team, particularly if excluding dead money in the form of former players (i.e. John Wall).

With that in mind, here is the full Rockets roster and salaries entering the 2022-23 regular season. This version reflects all moves made to trim from Houston’s 20-man roster at training camp to the NBA’s limit of 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals for the season, such as the recent waiving of veteran big man Derrick Favors.

This list is sorted in ascending order from least to most, financially, during the 2022-23 season, according to HoopsHype salary data. Any potential future earnings for each Rockets player as part of his current contract are noted beneath each photo.

Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey among 14 rookies to sign with Nike

Holmgren and Ivey were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with the Swoosh.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey on Friday were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with Nike, the apparel company announced.

Holmgren and Ivey, as top-five picks, were viewed as top targets for apparel companies as each player projects to have a bright future in the NBA. They both have worn Nike shoes in the past and will continue to do so after opting to sign with the Swoosh.

Related: No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero reacts to signing with Jordan Brand

Nike had a busy signing period with the incoming rookie class after coming to terms with 12 other first-year players. They signed 12 first-round picks and two second-round picks for the 2022-23 season after a relatively quiet class over the past few years because of the pandemic.

Here are the 14 rookies that signed with Nike this season.

In NBA debut for rookies, Stephen Silas impressed by Rockets’ fight

Stephen Silas on Houston’s regular-season opener: “This is our fifth game together, so we were disjointed a little bit, but I love our fight and our competitiveness.”

ATLANTA — The Houston Rockets (0-1) dropped their 2022-23 NBA regular-season opener to the Atlanta Hawks (1-0), 117-107. They looked much more proficient than in their opening game in Minnesota a year ago and were competitive to the end. 

Houston looked uncertain at times while trying to get the right combinations on the floor. That uncertainty led to 16 turnovers and 28 fast-break points for the Hawks. As the season continues, head coach Stephen Silas believes the continuity will improve as players find each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Multiple times I sat down and told my assistants that we are so young,” Silas said. “We made some uncharacteristic turnovers that led to 28 points for them. Also, this is our fifth game together, so we were disjointed a little bit, but I love our fight and our competitiveness.”

Silas wasn’t the only one impressed by how the young Rockets team played on Wednesday night. Hawks head coach Nate McMillan commended Houston for never giving in, even though they were down on numerous occasions by double digits.

“Houston was a serious challenge, and we knew they would be,” McMillian said. “Their ability to put four guards out on the court and they can attack and create their own offense. If you are collapsing too much, they can burn you with the 3-pointers. We knew that this would be a tough game.”

ROOKIE REVIEW

Jabari Smith Jr. gave the Rockets a glimpse of what he could do, finishing with 17 points and 7 rebounds in 33 minutes. Although he went 3-for-11 from the 3-point line (27.3%), Smith gained excellent looks at the basket when guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green drove the lane and kicked the ball back to him. 

Smith, 19, looked very comfortable during the second quarter when he was on the court with second-year center Alperen Sengun.

“He is very unselfish and great at what he does,” Smith said of Sengun.

Forward Tari Eason also made his regular-season debut. It went according to expectations, based on what the coaches and fans have seen from Eason since he played in his first summer league game in Las Vegas. 

The former SEC Sixth Man of the Year out of LSU collected 8 points and 7 rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. He split time with KJ Martin and Garrison Matthews, since forward Jae’Sean Tate remains out with an ankle injury.

Fellow rookie TyTy Washington, a guard out of Kentucky, remains out indefinitely with a left knee sprain.

[lawrence-related id=106163,106082]

[listicle id=106153]

Injury news: Rockets to start season without Jae’Sean Tate, TyTy Washington

Jae’Sean Tate (left ankle soreness) and rookie guard TyTy Washington (left knee sprain) will be unavailable for the Rockets in Wednesday’s regular-season opener.

The Houston Rockets will not quite be at full strength when their 2022-23 regular season begins on Wednesday night in Atlanta. Jae’Sean Tate, a key defensive player who missed much of the preseason while dealing with ankle issues, is again sidelined with left ankle soreness.

Rookie guard TyTy Washington (left knee sprain) is also listed as out on the Rockets’ official injury report. The team has not disclosed an expected return timetable for either player.

Tate’s absence could mean more playing time for reserve forwards KJ Martin and rookie Tari Eason. Washington was not expected to be in Houston’s rotation.

Jabari Smith Jr., who missed Houston’s final three preseason game with a left ankle sprain, is not listed on the injury report and is expected to start at power forward.

Wednesday’s tip between the Rockets and Hawks is set for 6:30 p.m. Central at State Farm Arena.

[lawrence-related id=106067,106034]

[listicle id=106072]

2022-2023 Houston Rockets roster

With Derrick Favors waived and Darius Days added to a two-way deal, here’s a look at the official Houston Rockets roster entering the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season.

The Houston Rockets remain one of the NBA’s youngest teams. Yet, entering what is considered by most as the third season of a franchise rebuild, there are clear signs of optimism beginning to emerge.

It starts with second-year guard Jalen Green and rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr., who each excelled in the recently completed preseason while helping lead the Rockets to a 3-1 record as a team.

For Green, he looks to have picked up where he left off in his dynamic 2021-22 rookie season, which finished with a historic scoring burst that led to his spot on the league’s All-Rookie First Team.

For Smith, selected by Houston at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, this season offers an opportunity to justify that lofty draft placement and show his potential as a future cornerstone.

Combine that duo with other promising young players like Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, KJ Martin, and recently extended guard Kevin Porter Jr., and it’s easy to see some of the reasons for optimism.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the full Rockets roster entering the 2022-23 regular season. This version includes all moves made to trim from Houston’s 20-man roster at training camp to the NBA’s limit of 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals for the season, such as the recent waiving of veteran big man Derrick Favors.

2022-23 Houston Rockets statistics, player grades for preseason play

The Rockets went 3-1 in preseason play, and electric numbers by second-year guard Jalen Green (22.0 points, 43.3% on 3-pointers, 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes) were a big reason why.

The young Houston Rockets went 3-1 in preseason play leading up to the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season, and electric numbers by second-year guard Jalen Green were a big reason why.

Green averaged 22.0 points (43.3% on 3-pointers) and 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes, and his performance has clearly played a large role in the rebuilding Rockets overachieving expectations to this point.

Granted, the competition will get much steeper once the regular season begins on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Atlanta. Opponents will be playing their rotation regulars much more frequently, and there is likely to be a greater attention to detail across the board.

Nonetheless, for a young group like the Rockets that finished with the NBA’s worst record in 2021-22, any success is potentially something to build on. That’s especially the case if it starts with Green, the No. 2 overall pick from the first round of the 2021 NBA draft and a clear building block for the future of the organization.

Scroll on for statistics and grades for all Rockets players averaging at least 10 minutes per game in exhibition play. Grades are relative to realistic expectations for each player prior to the preseason, meaning that the bar for a starter is higher than for a deep reserve.