Jackson Gatlin here, the host of the daily Locked On Rockets podcast, with your daily Locked On Rockets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Rockets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Alperen Sengun’s 27 Points And “Terror Twins” Eason & Thompson Power Houston Rockets Past Wizards
Alperen Sengun’s Dominance and the Houston Rockets Offensive Struggles
Alperen Sengun has been a force to reckon with, showcasing his prowess on the court with back-to-back 27-point games. His recent performance against the Washington Wizards was nothing short of spectacular. Sengun’s ability to dominate the paint was evident as he tormented the Wizards frontcourt, leaving them with no answers. His impressive stat line included 27 points on 12 of 19 shooting, 17 rebounds, and three blocks, highlighting his all-around contribution to the team’s success. Sengun’s resurgence is a promising sign for the Houston Rockets. After a slow start to the season, he’s finding his rhythm, particularly on the offensive end. His improved rebounding and defensive skills are also noteworthy.
The Terror Twins: Tari Eason and Amen Thompson
The “Terror Twins,” Tari Eason and Amen Thompson continue to make their mark, bringing a dynamic energy that has become a game-changer for the Rockets. Their defensive prowess and ability to shift the momentum are unmatched, providing a spark that few teams can counter. Eason’s aggressive play and Thompson’s versatility make them a formidable duo, capable of altering the course of a game with their intensity and skill.
Their impact was felt even more in the absence of Fred VanVleet, as they stepped up to fill the void and maintain the team’s competitive edge. The Rockets bench depth, highlighted by the Terror Twins, is a significant asset, offering a blend of youthful exuberance and defensive tenacity that keeps opponents on their toes.
The Need for Fred VanVleet
The Rockets offensive struggles were apparent in their recent game, where they shot a dismal 21.7% from beyond the arc. This highlights the team’s reliance on Fred VanVleet, whose presence on the court is crucial for orchestrating the offense. VanVleet’s ability to take care of the basketball and set up plays is invaluable, especially when the team faces challenges in generating and converting three-point opportunities.
Jalen Green’s performance in the absence of VanVleet was a mixed bag. While he managed to score 18 points, his efficiency was lacking, and he committed six turnovers. This game was an opportunity for Green to step up as a primary facilitator, but the results were less than ideal. The Wizards, a bottom-3 defense in the NBA, capitalized on the Rockets offensive lapses, underscoring the need for VanVleet’s steadying influence.
The Rockets reliance on VanVleet is evident, but there’s potential for Sengun to shoulder more of the offensive load. His decision-making and ability to create plays can alleviate some of the pressure on VanVleet. However, the team must address its shooting woes to maximize Sengun’s playmaking potential.
The Rockets’ victory over the Wizards, despite their offensive struggles, raises questions about the team’s future performance. Can they improve their shooting and maintain their winning ways, or will their offensive inefficiencies catch up with them? These are critical considerations as the season progresses.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Alperen Sengun’s impact, the Terror Twins’ contributions, and the Houston Rockets offensive dynamics, tune into the Locked On Rockets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Rockets Podcast:
- The official stamping of the “Terror Twins” nickname.
- Analysis of the Rockets’ offensive woes and potential solutions.
- The importance of Fred VanVleet’s role in the team’s success.
- A look at the Rockets’ defensive strategies and their effectiveness.
- Insights into the team’s future prospects and areas for improvement.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Trade The Houston Rockets are contemplating when to make their next big trade. With players like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun in the mix, timing is everything. (The Dream Shake)
Roster The Houston Rockets celebrated another win with a 107-92 victory over the Washington Wizards. Key players like Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson led the charge. Read more. (The Dream Shake)
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
League At Large
League At Large
In defense of the NBA In-Season Tournament
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Rockets podcasts.
Alperen Sengun & Tari Eason Drag Houston Rockets Past Detroit Pistons In Ugly Win How the Houston Rockets clinched a narrow 101-99 win over the Detroit Pistons in a gritty, low-scoring showdown with Alperen Sengun and Tari Eason leading the way and key moments from each of them to help seal the win.
Houston Rockets Top-5 Net Rating Sustainable? + Cam Whitmore To G League & Jabari Smith Jr. Struggles Discussing the Houston Rockets strong start with a top-5 net rating in the NBA, but what’s behind this strong start? Why Cam Whitmore was sent to the G League and addressing Jabari Smith Jr.'s struggles.
Alperen Sengun & Fred VanVleet Two-Man Game Excels In Houston Rockets Blowout Win Over Wemby & Spurs The Houston Rockets showcased their prowess with a commanding 127-100 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, highlighting the Rockets elite defense, while Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun’s effective two-man game got back on track.
