Rookie point guard Amen Thompson was extremely impressive in his Houston debut, and second-year Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. scored 29 second-half points and drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer for a feel-good victory to open 2023 summer league play.
That’s the good news from Friday night, which also included a strong two-way performance by Tari Eason. The bad was that Thompson sprained his ankle late in the game and will not officially play for the Rockets again until 2023-24 preseason games start in October.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Rockets finally made official all of their complicated acquisitions and departures from the opening days of 2023 free agency while also learning their five group opponents in the NBA’s new in-season tournament, which debuts this fall.
With that in mind, Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down the positives and negatives from a busy weekend as part of their latest episode. Sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, Sunday’s full show can be listened to below. Each episode is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”
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Reaction: Jabari Smith Jr. delivers epic buzzer-beater in Houston’s summer opener
Takeaways: Amen Thompson, Scoot Henderson dazzle as summer Rockets edge Blazers
Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire