Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. breaks out vs. Jazz, leads Rockets to first win of season
Prized rookie Jabari Smith Jr. wasn’t very efficient in his first three NBA games, but that changed in a big way for the Rockets in Houston’s 114-108 victory (box score) over Utah on Monday.
Playing as a starting center for the first time, Smith had 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots versus the Jazz in 34 minutes, shooting 6-of-10 from the field (60.0%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%). He also made all six of his free-throw attempts, including four straight in the final 30 seconds to put the game away.
Kevin Porter Jr. led the Rockets with 26 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-19 shooting (42.1%), while backcourt mate Jalen Green added an efficient 25 points and 3 assists on 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%) and 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%). Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 17 points and 4 assists on 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%).
It was the first loss of the 2022-23 regular season for Utah (3-1) and the first victory of the young season for Houston (1-3).
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews from Monday night at Toyota Center. The Rockets return to action Wednesday as they conclude this brief home-and-home series with the Jazz, with the tip from Salt Lake City set for 8 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Kevin Porter:
26 points
10 rebounds
4 assists
2 steals
1 block8-19 from the field
1-4 from 3-PT range
9-9 from the FT line— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) October 25, 2022
Best game of the year so far for Jabari Smith Jr. — 21 points on 6-10 FG, 3-5 3P, 6-6 FT, nine rebounds (three offensive), three blocks, two assists and one "pass the effin ball" moment.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 25, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. tonight:
21 points
9 rebounds
2 assists
3 blocks6/10 FG
3/5 3FG
6/6 FTLooked comfortable at the five on both ends and iced four huge free throws down the stretch to give the #Rockets the win.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 25, 2022
Pre-game in the locker room, Jalen Green told a few of his teammates “let’s get a win tonight, bruh.”
They must’ve listened.
The Rockets beat the Jazz to pick up their first W on the year.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) October 25, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. being able to score like he does with a team that Pounds the ball like the rockets do is a pretty special trait
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) October 25, 2022
I like that fire from the young Rockets…Them going at each other means that they are holding each other accountable and I like it…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 25, 2022
Ugly game but a nice win for the #Rockets. KPJ was really good. Jalen Green had a great 3rd quarter with energy from Usman Garuba and Tari Eason off the bench. Jabari Smith Jr. was in foul trouble but looked comfortable at the 5. Was a good night at Toyota Center.
— Brandon Scott (@brandonkscott) October 25, 2022
Stephen Silas on Usman Garuba: "I was happy with what (Usman) did and he's earning minutes by the day."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 25, 2022
This stuff happens in competitive sports, especially with young guys in the final seconds of high-stress situations. I don't think that level of passion is necessarily a bad thing. https://t.co/o83HQTVyOG
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 25, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. joins them with 21 points after icing four clutch free throws to give the #Rockets the win.
How many more times will this trio go 20+ in the same game? https://t.co/Ijesu5Gl7Q
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 25, 2022
Stephen Silas on Usman Garuba: "I was happy with what (Usman) did and he's earning minutes by the day."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 25, 2022
