The Rockets began the 2023-24 NBA regular season with an absolute dud in Wednesday’s 116-86 blowout loss (box score) at Orlando. The long, athletic, and physical defense of the Magic flustered Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr., arguably Houston’s most talented young prospects, into very inefficient games.
Cole Anthony and Franz Wagner led Orlando with 20 and 17 points, respectively, while third-year center Alperen Sengun and veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks all scored 14 for Houston.
Brooks, Green, Thompson and head coach Ime Udoka met with media members postgame and address Wednesday’s very disappointing result.
“That was the worst game we’ve played, individually and collectively,” Udoka told reporters.
Courtesy of Jackson Gatlin of Locked on Rockets, here’s what each had to say. The Rockets next return to the court on Friday in San Antonio, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.
Ime Udoka
Jalen Green
Dillon Brooks
Amen Thompson
Highlights
Ime Udoka
Ime Udoka said he told the team: "That was the worst game we've played individually and collectively."
Ime felt toughness was an issue. The Rockets were getting moved out of the way physically for offensive rebounds often.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 26, 2023
Ime Udoka
Ime Udoka said the guys played well in 5 preseason games and he wants them to make tonight a "one-off" bad outing. "I expect those guys to bounce back."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 26, 2023
