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.
Jalen Green
- Points: 22.0 (44.3% FG, 43.3% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 3.0
- Assists: 3.3
- Turnovers: 1.5
- Minutes: 26.3
- Preseason games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
- RocketsWire grade: A+
Jalen Green's final preseason numbers in just 26.3 minutes per game:
22.0 ppg
43.3% 3P
95.5% FT (!)
3.3 assists
3.0 reboundsHe looks ready to take a leap. pic.twitter.com/dDJw0ffzt0
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 15, 2022
Jalen Green has VASTLY tightened his handle in one offseason. It really has opened up his game. Seems like he can get to any spot he wants to on the court. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) October 15, 2022
Kevin Porter Jr.
- Points: 16.8 (47.8% FG, 52.6% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 5.3
- Assists: 4.0
- Turnovers: 2.3
- Steals: 1.8
- Minutes: 24.7
- Preseason games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
- RocketsWire grade: A
Kevin Porter Jr showed off his supreme shot-making skills in preseason, as he shot 19-31 (62.9%) on shots from beyond 8 feet across all 4 games.
He went 5-6 from deep last night, including 3 spot up triples, rotating between an on and off ball role.
Full highlights vs Indiana: pic.twitter.com/Kk4doMG2Uq
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 15, 2022
Eric Gordon
- Points: 13.5 (60.0% FG, 50.0% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 1.0
- Assists: 1.5
- Minutes: 16.4
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 2
- RocketsWire grade: B+
Eric Gordon just did his thing against the Pacers with tough 3s and paint buckets. Led the bench, finished with 14 points in 16 first half minutes on 4-8 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4-4 FT.
If teams really aren't willing to offer a first round pick for him, that's wild pic.twitter.com/2tRkI6PDgN
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 15, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr.
- Points: 21.0 (53.3% FG, 62.5% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 8.0
- Assists: 2.0
- Minutes: 24.5
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 1
- RocketsWire grade: B (A if not for durability)
All 5 of Jabari Smith Jr.’s threes during his #Rockets debut.
One of the best 3PT shooting strokes you’ll see. pic.twitter.com/UvO5xHk1m3
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 3, 2022
Alperen Sengun
- Points: 9.0 (50.0% FG)
- Rebounds: 4.3
- Assists: 3.0
- Turnovers: 3.0
- Minutes: 20.7
- Fouls: 3.3
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 3
- RocketsWire grade: C
I was pleasantly surprised by Alperen Sengun's pick and roll defense against the Pacers. He was constantly in the right position, showed active hands, and made an impact around the basket.
Night and day from the Miami game. Recorded a steal and 2 blocks. pic.twitter.com/XnOVnR6I8s
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 15, 2022
Tari Eason
- Points: 17.8 (63.6% FG, 45.5% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 9.0 (4.5 offensive)
- Assists: 1.3
- Minutes: 23.8
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
- RocketsWire grade: A+
Tari Eason puts up damn near 20 and 10 any time he gets real minutes
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) October 8, 2022
I need non-Rockets fans to know that Tari Eason is an absolute and complete ANIMAL
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) October 11, 2022
Josh Christopher
- Points: 11.5 (44.2% FG, 37.5% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 4.0
- Assists: 2.8
- Turnovers: 3.0
- Minutes: 20.8
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
- RocketsWire grade: C+
Do you remember in the summer in Las Vegas…When everyone was wondering what Josh Christopher was doing…Exactly what he is doing now…He was working on moving without the ball and being more under control going to the basket…#LightTheFuse #Sarge #RocketsWire
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 8, 2022
KJ Martin
- Points: 10.8 (50.0% FG, 43.8% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 5.0
- Assists: 2.8
- Turnovers: 1.3
- Steals: 1.3
- Blocks: 1.0
- Minutes: 27.9
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
- RocketsWire grade: A
KJ Martin is, without a doubt, one of the biggest winners of the preseason.
Averaged 115311 on 52 FG% and most importantly, 44 3PT% on 4 attemptsG as a starter, showing why he deserves a larger role. A great connective piece on both ends for any team. Please don't trade him pic.twitter.com/LFulVV3ueh
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 15, 2022
Jae’Sean Tate
- Points: 4.5 (60.0% FG)
- Rebounds: 2.5
- Assists: 1.5
- Minutes: 10.8
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 2
- RocketsWire grade: B-
Jae’Sean Tate on if any #Rockets have stood out in summer workouts:
“I think Jalen [Green] has gotten a lot stronger. I think Josh [Christopher], and his learning the game… just learning when to be aggressive.”
Tate on his personal points of emphasis: “Shooting and corner 3s.” pic.twitter.com/v0PsHUPy4j
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) September 12, 2022
Daishen Nix
- Points: 5.0 (23.1% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 4.0
- Assists: 2.5
- Turnovers: 3.0
- Minutes: 20.9
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 2
- RocketsWire grade: D
Daishen Nix makes the half-court heave at the buzzer, walks straight down the tunnel and gets mobbed by the #Rockets bench 😭😂 pic.twitter.com/4AitYQp4Yl
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 3, 2022
Garrison Mathews
- Points: 2.7 (20.0% FG, 14.3% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 0.3
- Assists: 1.0
- Minutes: 14.2
- Fouls: 2.7
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 3
- RocketsWire grade: D
KJ Martin should have that back up SF position locked up over Garrison Mathews. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) October 8, 2022
Usman Garuba
- Points: 1.5 (50.0% FG)
- Rebounds: 6.8
- Assists: 1.0
- Turnovers: 1.8
- Blocks: 1.0
- Minutes: 14.0
- Fouls: 2.0
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
- RocketsWire grade: C+
Kevin Porter Jr. on if any #Rockets combos have surprised him during training camp practices: “Boban and Usman (Garuba).”
He says it’s impossible to get a rebound when Boban is on the floor, and Garuba is much faster than he was last season pic.twitter.com/CPQ7dZrtBd
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 1, 2022
Bruno Fernando
- Points: 4.3
- Rebounds: 6.3
- Assists: 0.5
- Turnovers: 1.3
- Blocks: 1.0
- Minutes: 16.8
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
- RocketsWire grade: B-
“Just the freshness I found here and the new energy and the guys I relate too in so many ways, it just made it easier for me,” said Rockets reserve center Bruno Fernando on being signed to a four-year deal by Houston. #LightTheFuse #Sarge @TheRocketsWire @BrunoFernandoMV pic.twitter.com/jK6dsLeCpG
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 3, 2022
TyTy Washington
- Points: 6.3 (39.1% FG, 25.0% on 3-pointers)
- Rebounds: 1.3
- Assists: 1.3
- Turnovers: 1.3
- Minutes: 14.9
- Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
- RocketsWire grade: C-
TyTy Washington was extremely passive during the preseason, and finally came out of his shell last night in garbage time with these 2 floaters.
Needs to spend some time in the G League which should help him play through stunts and get to his spots. Still like his potential. pic.twitter.com/EQR08TQKJ1
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 15, 2022
