Led by a balanced effort with six players scoring in double figures, the Rockets opened their 2023-24 NBA preseason at Toyota Center with Tuesday’s 122-103 home win (box score) over the Indiana Pacers. Houston is now 1-0 in exhibition play.
Rookie forward Cam Whitmore followed up his summer-league MVP performance with more dynamic play off Houston’s bench, scoring 15 points in 17 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%) and 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%). Houston went +21 as a team in that time, and that plus/minus clip was the best of any player for either team.
Buy Rockets TicketsFor head coach Ime Udoka, Whitmore’s strong showing offers even more to consider as he evaluates his rotation options.
Other players who scored in double-figures included:
- Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks in 24 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 6-of-10 on free throws (60.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block in 23 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 5-of-5 on free throws
- Jalen Green: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 24 minutes; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 0-of-4 on 3-pointers, 1-of-5 on free throws (20.0%)
- Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 4 assists in 25 minutes; 3-of-11 shoting (27.3%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Tari Eason: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals in 21 minutes; 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%)
Eason played additional minutes with the starters after an early ejection by Dillon Brooks, who was given a flagrant-two foul less than five minutes into the game for an altercation with Daniel Theis.
The Pacers (0-2) were led by reserve forward Aaron Nesmith, who had 18 points in 20 minutes on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%).
Here’s a look at key highlights from Tuesday’s game, along with how media members and fans reacted in real-time. As for the Rockets, they will continue exhibition play on Thursday night in Birmingham, Alabama, with a matchup versus the New Orleans Pelicans.
Oct. 10 Rockets-Pacers preseason reaction
Cam Whitmore is going to have some insane posters this season.
Dude can FLY and he's a power dunker.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 11, 2023
Amen is attacking the basket…I like it because he is getting to the rim and also making sure he has an outlet if the shot is not there. #Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 11, 2023
Amen Thompson has missed some bunnies at the rim tonight, but his ability to get separation, slow down, and elevate for clean looks is already super impressive.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 11, 2023
Going off first half subs and now second half, Amen Thompson might be Ime Udoka's go-to first sub off the bench this season 👀
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 11, 2023
FVV rewards guys when they cut. Builds good habits
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 11, 2023
Nice start for Cam Whitmore with a 3 and a dunk off a pass from Alperen Sengun. pic.twitter.com/VtJ1F5WKyu
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) October 11, 2023
My #Rockets Thoughts:
1. There was so much off-ball movement on offense. Total opposite of how they played the last two years. As I’ve said before, Sengun holds the key to unlocking this offense
2. Jabari and Sengun looked like the best players on the floor tonight. Sengun’s…
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) October 11, 2023
CAM WHITMORE HEAT CHECK HE’S ON FIRE pic.twitter.com/wYDapM2G7a
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 11, 2023
Impressive pre-season debut for Rockets rookie, Cam Whitmore.
On par for what his college coach, Kyle Neptune told me over the off-season:
“He’s ready to take off, I think people are going to be very surprised of what he’s capable of.” pic.twitter.com/dpwWVcKJk5
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) October 11, 2023
It’s just preseason but you would rather get a win and play well than the alternative
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 11, 2023
It’s really scary to imagine the individual potential of all of these young Rockets players.
If they can put it together and continue to grow as a team..
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) October 11, 2023
Sengun knocked down his first three-point attempt of the preseason
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 11, 2023
The biggest thing from tonight for me is the fact the Rockets only have 4 turnovers through two and a half quarters
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 11, 2023
Jalen Green, Year 3. pic.twitter.com/tLzrvQgmHf
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 11, 2023
Watching these three-man actions where Alperen Sengun just lofts the ball over the top of the defense off easy cuts is so much fun.
(And it could have been there this whole time!)
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 11, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. is leveling up this season and it's going to be awesome to witness.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 11, 2023
Naturally, Eason starts the second half. He won't even miss time in a preseason opener!
(Tari was 82-for-82 last season.) https://t.co/zW5lv7OjsB
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 11, 2023
Biggest individual storyline to me is the same as summer league and the tail end of last season, Jabari Smith Jr. is ready for the leap.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 11, 2023
Dillon Brooks wasting no time 😭
He was just ejected for this play 5 minutes into the game. pic.twitter.com/JNmzC2dq2c
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 11, 2023
Udoka said he wants Sengun to take more threes and less pump-faking when there’s not a defender close to him on the perimeter.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 11, 2023
