Saturday’s summer league showdown between the Rockets and Thunder featured a clash of two of the top-three rookies in the NBA’s 2022 draft class: Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren.
Both prospects struggled to finish on offense, with Smith and Holmgren scoring 12 points apiece on 26.6% and 30.0% shooting, respectively. But each made a clear mark on defense, with Holmgren recording 8 rebounds and 4 blocks while Smith had 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks — with the latter two categories leading the summer Rockets.
Most notably, Smith saved his best for last. The Auburn product drilled a 3-pointer and a turnaround jumper in the final five minutes to put the Rockets back in front, and he collected a steal and a crucial late stop as Houston held on for a 90-88 win (box score). The final stop was massive, since Smith defended without fouling and used his length to force talented second-year guard Josh Giddey into a miss as time expired.
Rockets win ???? pic.twitter.com/6reVGrUF8X
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 10, 2022
Smith wasn’t the only impressive rookie. Tari Eason had an efficient night with 14 points and 11 rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%), while TyTy Washington added 9 points in 22 minutes off the bench — including a floater with under 30 seconds left that put Houston ahead to stay.
Second-year guards Josh Christopher and Daishen Nix led the Rockets in scoring with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Christopher added 9 rebounds and 5 assists, while Nix dished out a team-high 6 dimes.
Our Brian Barefield is on the scene in Las Vegas and will have more postgame content on Sunday, which is when the Rockets will practice as they gear up for their next summer league game on Monday versus San Antonio (schedule). For now, here’s a look at Saturday’s highlights and immediate reaction by players, coaches, media members, and fans.
Giddey thought he could score over Jabari Smith at the buzzer to tie the game.
He thought wrong.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 10, 2022
Jabari Smith dives on the ground to jump on a loose ball and call timeout with a 1-point lead and 12 seconds left. That’s a winning play.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) July 10, 2022
#Rockets GM Rafael Stone on Jabari Smith tonight: “I’m actually really happy with him. I think he’s been super impactful defensively. The one thing we are not concerned about with Jabari is shooting the ball. I actually really like the way he’s played today.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 10, 2022
Asked Coach Higgins about Jabari recovering the loose ball late: “If our best player, our highest profile players, are willing to put their body on the line for their teammates, what can that make our group become.” pic.twitter.com/TLf5x7qUB7
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 10, 2022
Chet doesn’t want any of Jabari.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 10, 2022
“Tari has been the guy we thought we were drafting. He gets after it”
GM Rafael Stone on Tari Eason so far at summer league #Rockets
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) July 10, 2022
I don’t even go to the socials after the game but that free throw gon haunt me????????
— Tari Eason (@TAR13ASON) July 10, 2022
Asked TyTy Washington how Jabari has handled the pressure so far: “One thing about Jabari is he’s a team player. He doesn’t look at it as an individual matchup. He’s not trying to make it about himself, he’s still playing team ball.” pic.twitter.com/NYd2ghA1rW
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 10, 2022
Usually the guy who dives on the floor for loose balls is the role player, the PJ Tucker, Patrick Beverly, Jae’Sean Tate
The guy we just drafted with the 3rd pick in the draft is more than willing to dive on the floor for loose balls. We’re in such good hands. https://t.co/8lewBOy23m
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) July 10, 2022
Jabari Smith is finding his rhythm.
Made a three then a turnaround middie.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 10, 2022
Daishen Nix has had a nice bounce back game today
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) July 10, 2022
Rafael Stone on rookie TyTy Washington: “TyTy is a guy that’s always been better at the game than everybody else. We think that frequently translates (to the NBA level). He’s a really good basketball player. We’re excited about him.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 10, 2022
Jabari Smith has shot it poorly, but he hasn’t gotten tentative because of it
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) July 10, 2022
Aric Holman is coming after the #Rockets other two-way roster spot.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 10, 2022
Rafael Stone on Josh Christopher’s defense: “He’s very good defensively on the ball, but just help side, and picking up all those NBA tricks (is what he needs to work on).”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 10, 2022
I wasn’t quite as high on Tari Eason as everyone but still liked him plenty enough to want us to draft him.
He has so far showed more flashes than I thought he would. A LOT of raw, untapped potential offensively, and his intensity and instincts are crazy good defensively.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) July 10, 2022
Jabari did not have a good shooting game but he had 4 steals, 3 blocks, and the 2 defensive plays/stops to win the game. 9 boards and created offensive movement. Eason is REAL, TyTy was great, Nix was improved, 35 is HOLMAN now, & we shower heart & solve. The Vibes are back.
— J. Dubb (@TheMindOfJDubb) July 10, 2022
jabari smith jr. struggled heavily with his shot tonight, but in the last 5 minutes he:
-scored 5 points on 2-3 shooting
-secured a loose ball
-got the game saving stop on josh giddeyhe showed up when it mattered most. he also had 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. pic.twitter.com/DT2J6Kr7BQ
— jeff (@retrojeffhoops) July 10, 2022
Jabari could have easily hung his head and let it affect his overall performance tonight, but he didn’t allow that to happen and made a huge impact defensively, that is a winning player
— Abel (@AbelGe87) July 10, 2022
Jabari Smith successfully contests Josh Giddey to seal the win for the Rockets. Winning plays!
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) July 10, 2022
Chet: 12 points, 8 rebs, 4 blocks, 2 steals, 2 assists, 4 turnovers, 30% shooting
Jabari: 12 points, 9 rebs, 3 blocks, 4 steals, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 26.3% shooting
— J. Dubb (@TheMindOfJDubb) July 10, 2022
I can’t wait to watch Jabari Smith grow over the course of this season. He was everywhere defensively tonight. The shot will start falling. And he can get to that elbow turnaround whenever he wants.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) July 10, 2022
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