With star center Alperen Sengun likely out for the remainder of the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season, the Houston Rockets found themselves thin in the frontcourt when it comes to traditional big men.
While rookie Amen Thompson has filled in capably in the starting lineup, the athletic rookie certainly isn’t a post presence.
Enter Jabari Smith Jr. and Jock Landale. Smith moved from power forward to center after Sengun’s injury, and Landale has taken on a bigger role in matchups where Houston needs rim protection (and to help fill some of Thompson’s vacated bench minutes).
Landale had a career-high 7 blocks in Tuesday’s blowout victory at Washington, while Smith finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 7-of-13 from the field (53.8%).
“It was great,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of Landale’s career night as a shot blocker. “We acknowledged him in the locker room, about that. He was part of the unit that really got us going, from an energy standpoint. Meeting guys at the rim, making the right plays in there, and deterring shots, even if he didn’t block it.”
#Rockets beat the Wizards 137-114
Jock Landale 🏀10 PTS🏀7 BLKS (CAREER HIGH)
He spoke after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/rUGvYacMTi
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) March 20, 2024
In four games since losing Sengun to injury, which have all been won by the Rockets, the frontcourt duo is averaging:
- Smith: 17.3 points, 8.8 rebounds; 55.3% FG, 42.1% on 3-pointers in 30.5 minutes
- Landale: 10.0 points (64.0% FG), 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 2.0 assists in 22.5 minutes
To say the least, both sets of numbers are significantly ahead of each player’s averages for the season to date. Houston’s perfect record during these four games is obviously ahead of its usual clip, as well.
“He quietly went about his business,” Udoka said of Smith following Tuesday’s impressive road victory over the Wizards. “Four offensive rebounds, and there’s all the things he does besides switching and guarding some bigs. I thought he was really good.”
With four straight road victories, six consecutive overall wins, and an 8-1 record in March, Udoka and the Rockets will now look to keep that momentum rolling when they return to Houston (33-35) for a three-game homestand — starting Thursday night at Toyota Center. Tipoff versus the Bulls (34-35) is at 7:00 p.m. Central.
