When the Houston Rockets last saw the Spurs on Oct. 27 in San Antonio, both teams didn’t resemble what they ultimately became as the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season progressed.
Between poor execution late in the game and a series of controversial officiating calls that mostly went San Antonio’s direction, the Rockets blew a late lead in the second half and lost in overtime.
Since that game, though? Houston is 10-7, while the Spurs are 2-17 — including an ongoing 16-game losing streak.
On Monday at Toyota Center, the Rockets will look for some measure of revenge as the Spurs finally make a return trip to Houston.
From an individual standpoint, the player most looking to make amends could be Jabari Smith Jr., a second-year forward for the Rockets. Smith struggled versus talented rookie Victor Wembanyama late in that first matchup, but Smith has been much better of late.
In 17 games since, Smith is averaging 13.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 52.4% overall and 38.9% on 3-pointers.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Monday, Dec. 11
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (10-9)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
San Antonio Spurs (3-18)
- Guard: Devin Vassell
- Guard: Malaki Branham
- Forward: Jeremy Sochan
- Forward: Keldon Johnson
- Center: Victor Wembanyama
Injury reports
Houston’s Dec. 11 injury report issued lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) and Jock Landale (illness) as out. Dillon Brooks (illness) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) are each questionable, though both played in Houston’s previous game on Friday.
Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. are away from the team while playing for Houston’s NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers.
The Spurs will be without Charles Bediako and Sir’Jabari Rice, while Charles Bassey, Dominick Barlow, Sidy Cissoko, and Blake Wesley are questionable. All have the G League designation listed as the reason for their absence or uncertain status.
Dec. 11 uniform choices
- Rockets: Red Icon Edition
- Spurs: Black Statement Edition
Practice updates
Amen Thompson is back with the #Rockets after missing 15 games with an ankle injury@HoustonRockets back in action MONDAY vs San Antonio. Coverage will begin at 6:30PM on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/DRWEpSXgst
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 10, 2023
