In the final game of the NBA’s 2022-23 season for both teams, the Rockets rallied to defeat the Wizards on Sunday, 114-109 (box score). Both teams were short-handed, as expected, in a regular-season finale with no playoff implications, with Houston (22-60) resting Kevin Porter Jr. and Washington (35-47) holding out big names such as Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, and Kristaps Porzingis.
With the road victory, the rebuilding Rockets finished the season with three straight wins and four of their last five, overall. However, that wasn’t enough to save the job of head coach Stephen Silas, whose team finished with one of the NBA’s three worst records (and maximum draft-lottery odds) in each of his three years in Houston.
Besides sitting Porter, the Rockets gave only limited minutes to starting center Alperen Sengun (12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists) and guard Jalen Green (14 points, 4 assists, 50% FG), who sat out late. Houston did, however, let its 2022-23 rookies play usual minutes.
Jabari Smith Jr. led the way for the Rockets with 20 points and 5 rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), including 7-of-8 on free-throws (87.5%), while Tari Eason had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on a matching 6-of-11 line. Second-year guard Josh Christopher started in place of Porter and had 13 points and 4 assists on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), while veteran big man Boban Marjanovic added 10 points (71.4% FG) and 6 rebounds in only 13 minutes.
Jordan Goodwin led the Wizards with 22 points and 5 assists on 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%) and 3-of-8 from 3-point range (37.5%).
Scroll on for highlights, postgame interviews, and reaction from Houston fans and media members. With their season complete, next up for the Rockets are exit interviews to recap the year and preview the offseason. A schedule for those has yet to be released.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
I've got nothing but respect for Silas.
I often disagreed with his approach and philosophy, but he was nothing short of a true professional during his time in Houston. https://t.co/CrR9Fcn08y
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 9, 2023
Update: He got two of each, so Sengun does, in fact, finish with a 70/70 season! #Rockets https://t.co/ZjH8IiYPsr
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 9, 2023
“The results have not been what I wanted them to be, but I’m walking out the door with my head held high,” said Houston Rockets HC Stephen Silas. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/slwJGvz3Rc
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) April 9, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. on the #Rockets and the 2023 NBA draft lottery, which they hope lands them Victor Wembanyama:
“Yeah, I’ve seen him. He’s a problem.” 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/MlNAkgRVkH
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 9, 2023
In the wake of multiple reports he will not be retained, Stephen Silas met with the media after today’s win: “I feel proud. I wanted to be a head coach my whole life.I wanted to be like my dad..There’s been a lot of talk about my job for a long time..and (his players)just kept..” pic.twitter.com/K40vtlAKzk
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 9, 2023
Stephen Silas: "I feel proud. I wanted to be a head coach my whole life like my dad. I'm proud of these guys. There's been a lot of talk about my job for a long time. They kept working and playing hard, playing hard for their coach. I'm proud of that."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 9, 2023
Houston #Rockets fans after a three-year, 236-game rebuild pic.twitter.com/rPIzgPyT43
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 9, 2023
Tari Eason is playing like he knows the team with the 3rd best lottery odds will end up with the first overall pick
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) April 9, 2023
Tari Eason plays in all 82 games of his rookie season@TAR13ASON finishes with a big game against the Wizards 🏀16 PTS🏀8 REB🏀4 AST🏀#Rockets @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/wZh1wPGVYW
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) April 9, 2023
Tari Eason checks in. He is the first rookie to play in all 82 games since Mikal Bridges, Collin Sexton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2018-19.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 9, 2023
KJ Martin & Tari Eason both played in all 82 games. Asked them about it..
Tari: "I love basketball. I'm showing up to work & doing my job."
KJ: "82 is a lot, you won't always feel 100%. My leg would have to be falling off for me to not go out there & try to play w/ my guys."
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) April 9, 2023
EXCLUSIVE: Driven by the chip on his shoulders, #Rockets' rookie Tari Eason reveals goals and aspirations following an impressive start to his NBA career.
"I want to be a Hall-of-Famer. I am definitely shoot for the stars, land on the moon." — Easonhttps://t.co/0Nc4OuVUSW
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) April 9, 2023
Tari Eason wants this win, man. Yelling with 4 minutes left in a tie game
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) April 9, 2023
Tari Eason is too good to still be in this game!
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) April 9, 2023
Said it before but Tari Eason in transition reminds me so much of Corey Brewer. Sometimes good, sometimes bad (turnovers/bad decisions)
— Adam Abramson (@Adam_Abramson1) April 9, 2023
Game 82, Tari Eason playing as hard as ever. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) April 9, 2023
This is one of the smoothest post moves I’ve seen from Jabari Smith Jr. during his rookie year.
He’s going to be a problem. pic.twitter.com/UjTjMoefDP
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) April 9, 2023
So, how about Jabari Smith dropping 20 points on 69 TS%, eh?
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) April 9, 2023
This Jabari Smith Jr. pull up three 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/FvAwDBqe2g
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) April 9, 2023
Beautiful give and go by Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green.
Dynamic Duo. pic.twitter.com/6RxsqprtMk
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) April 9, 2023
1️⃣ was hooping today pic.twitter.com/pN4uGZsFxi
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 9, 2023
