When we last saw the Rockets and Hawks in regular-season NBA action, rookie guard Jalen Green dropped a career-high 41 points against Atlanta in last season’s finale at Houston.
On Wednesday, the 2022-23 campaign begins with a rematch of the 2021-22 finale. For the young Rockets, their hopes of overachieving minimal expectations start with growth and development by young prospects such as Green, and he’ll have an opportunity to start Year 2 with what could be a favorable matchup.
Green will have more support alongside him in the lineup — primarily prized rookie Jabari Smith Jr., who was drafted at No. 3 in the 2022 draft. Smith missed the final three preseason games for the Rockets with a sprained left ankle, but he is cleared and ready to go as the regular season begins.
The Hawks believe they’ve improved since April, as well, thanks to the offseason trade for promising young guard Dejounte Murray. On paper, Murray and Trae Young appear to comprise one of the NBA’s best backcourts. That said, Green and Kevin Porter Jr. could see this matchup as a chance to make their own statement.
“I mean, we’re one of the best backcourts in the league, too,” Green said after Tuesday’s practice in Houston.
Jalen Green was asked about going against one of the best backcourts in the league facing Atlanta:
"I mean we're one of the best backcourts in the league, too."
📺 https://t.co/uA8xpQX9MR pic.twitter.com/BispN9QWg0
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 18, 2022
When and How to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 19
- Time: 6:30 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (0-0)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Eric Gordon
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Atlanta Hawks (0-0)
- Guard: Trae Young
- Guard: Dejounte Murray
- Forward: De’Andre Hunter
- Forward: John Collins
- Center: Clint Capela
Both lineups are based on each team’s latest game notes.
Injury reports
Houston’s newly released injury report lists Jae’Sean Tate (left ankle soreness) and TyTy Washington (left knee sprain) as out, while Daishen Nix (lower back soreness) is probable. Atlanta is listing Bogdan Bogdanovic as out due to right knee injury recovery.
Otherwise, both teams appear to be fairly healthy as the 2022-23 regular season gets underway on Wednesday night.
