During the NBA’s 2023 draft lottery in May, French phenom Victor Wembanyama seemingly celebrated when it became known the Houston Rockets would not land the No. 1 pick in the first round (and with that, a chance to draft him).
One person who clearly took notice was Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 pick from the 2022 draft class.
Now, with Smith enjoying his own career breakout, he should finally have a chance to match up with Wembanyama in Wednesday’s preseason rematch from San Antonio. Wembanyama sat out Monday’s opener, a 10-point Rockets win, for planned maintenance.
The Rockets and Spurs will also meet in the second game of the 2023-24 regular season on Friday, Oct. 27, making three games between the teams in an 11-day span — all at the Frost Bank Center.
Here’s our look at broadcast details and potential lineups for Wednesday’s rematch in San Antonio. Jalen Green is expected to return for the Rockets after sitting out Monday with a toenail issue.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 18
- Time: 7 p.m. CDT
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Potential starting lineups
Houston Rockets (3-0 preseason)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
San Antonio Spurs (1-2 preseason)
- Guard: Devin Vassell
- Guard: Jeremy Sochan
- Forward: Keldon Johnson
- Forward: Victor Wembanyama
- Center: Zach Collins
Latest injury/status reports
Ime Udoka explained pregame that Jalen Green's absence is supposed to be "short-term, one game" because "he had a pretty nasty toenail he had to get taken off." https://t.co/mv62BDOb2R
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 16, 2023
Pop says the plan is to get a look at something approaching a regular-season rotation over the final two preseason games. https://t.co/ukEwZemoLe
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) October 17, 2023
