The young Houston Rockets went 3-1 in preseason play leading up to the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season, and electric numbers by second-year guard Jalen Green were a big reason why.
Green averaged 22.0 points (43.3% on 3-pointers) and 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes, and his performance has clearly played a large role in the rebuilding Rockets overachieving expectations to this point.
Granted, the competition will get much steeper once the regular season begins on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Atlanta. Opponents will be playing their rotation regulars much more frequently, and there is likely to be a greater attention to detail across the board.
Nonetheless, for a young group like the Rockets that finished with the NBA’s worst record in 2021-22, any success is potentially something to build on. That’s especially the case if it starts with Green, the No. 2 overall pick from the first round of the 2021 NBA draft and a clear building block for the future of the organization.
Scroll on for statistics and grades for all Rockets players averaging at least 10 minutes per game in exhibition play. Grades are relative to realistic expectations for each player prior to the preseason, meaning that the bar for a starter is higher than for a deep reserve.
Jalen Green
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
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Points: 22.0 (44.3% FG, 43.3% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 3.0
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Assists: 3.3
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Turnovers: 1.5
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Minutes: 26.3
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Preseason games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
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RocketsWire grade: A+
Kevin Porter Jr.
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
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Points: 16.8 (47.8% FG, 52.6% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 5.3
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Assists: 4.0
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Turnovers: 2.3
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Steals: 1.8
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Minutes: 24.7
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Preseason games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
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RocketsWire grade: A
Eric Gordon
Photo by Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
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Points: 13.5 (60.0% FG, 50.0% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 1.0
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Assists: 1.5
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Minutes: 16.4
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Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 2
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RocketsWire grade: B+
Jabari Smith Jr.
Photo by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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Points: 21.0 (53.3% FG, 62.5% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 8.0
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Assists: 2.0
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Minutes: 24.5
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Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 1
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RocketsWire grade: B (A if not for durability)
Alperen Sengun
AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
Tari Eason
Photo by Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
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Points: 17.8 (63.6% FG, 45.5% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 9.0 (4.5 offensive)
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Assists: 1.3
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Minutes: 23.8
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Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
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RocketsWire grade: A+
Josh Christopher
Photo by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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Points: 11.5 (44.2% FG, 37.5% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 4.0
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Assists: 2.8
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Turnovers: 3.0
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Minutes: 20.8
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Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
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RocketsWire grade: C+
KJ Martin
Photo by Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
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Points: 10.8 (50.0% FG, 43.8% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 5.0
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Assists: 2.8
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Turnovers: 1.3
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Steals: 1.3
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Blocks: 1.0
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Minutes: 27.9
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Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
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RocketsWire grade: A
Jae’Sean Tate
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Daishen Nix
AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
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Points: 5.0 (23.1% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 4.0
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Assists: 2.5
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Turnovers: 3.0
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Minutes: 20.9
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Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 2
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RocketsWire grade: D
Garrison Mathews
Photo by John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
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Points: 2.7 (20.0% FG, 14.3% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 0.3
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Assists: 1.0
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Minutes: 14.2
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Fouls: 2.7
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Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 3
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RocketsWire grade: D
Usman Garuba
AP Photo/Michael Wyke
Bruno Fernando
Photo by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
TyTy Washington
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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Points: 6.3 (39.1% FG, 25.0% on 3-pointers)
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Rebounds: 1.3
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Assists: 1.3
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Turnovers: 1.3
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Minutes: 14.9
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Games played (out of 4 for the Rockets): 4
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RocketsWire grade: C-
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Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire