Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. scores 17 in NBA debut as Hawks edge Rockets
Top rookie Jabari Smith Jr. (17 points, 7 rebounds) showed promising signs in his NBA debut, but the Houston Rockets were cold from the perimeter in Wednesday’s 117-107 loss (box score) at Atlanta. It was the opener of the 2022-23 regular season for both teams.
Trae Young (23 points, 13 assists) and Dejounte Murray (20 points, 11 assists) led the way for the Hawks at State Farm Arena.
Atlanta won 23 games more than Houston last season, but the young Rockets were competitive throughout the game and pulled within a possession multiple times during Wednesday’s fourth quarter. However, ill-timed turnovers (Rockets 15, Hawks 9) and poor 3-point shooting kept Houston from getting over the top.
The Rockets hit just 9-of-35 from 3-point range as a team (25.7%), with Jalen Green (1-of-7, 14.3%), Eric Gordon (1-of-4, 25.0%), and Smith (3-of-11, 27.3%) among those who slumped as shooters.
Key statistics for Rockets players who went at least 15 minutes are:
Kevin Porter Jr.: 34 minutes, 21 points (47.4% FG, 60.0% on 3-pointers), 7 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 turnovers
Jalen Green: 32 minutes, 16 points (35.0% FG, 14.3% on 3-pointers), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers
Alperen Sengun: 22 minutes, 15 points (55.6% FG, 50.0% on 3-pointers), 9 rebounds, 6 turnovers
Jabari Smith Jr.: 33 minutes, 17 points (35.3% FG, 27.3% on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds
Eric Gordon: 29 minutes, 11 points (44.4% FG, 25.0% on 3-pointers), 4 assists
Bruno Fernando: 25 minutes, 7 points (100% FG), 9 rebounds, 7 assists
Tari Eason: 15 minutes, 8 points (66.7% FG), 7 rebounds
KJ Martin: 23 minutes, 6 points (14.3% FG), 5 rebounds, 4 fouls
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. The Rockets return to action Friday for their home opener at Toyota Center versus Memphis, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Stephen Silas was very open in post-game about why Alperen Sengun is coming off the bench. "Al-P needs the ball to be successful." Said Bruno does things that fit better right now with their starting lineup. https://t.co/JOAZnOxuSs
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 20, 2022
Thoughts about tonight:
Too many turnovers in the 1st half
Good 3point defense, bad defense inside the arc
The offense looked disorganized at times
Smith will make an impact on both ends
Bruno was the best center on the court
Rockets making progress. Remember last year's opener pic.twitter.com/aMIa3WvPBQ— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 20, 2022
#Rockets drop their season opener at the Hawks, 117-107. KPJ w/ 21-7-7. Jabari Smith Jr had 17 pts (6-17 FG), 7 rebs.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) October 20, 2022
Overall, Jabari been great, and if he can take a few more of these mid-range shots and a few less 3s, he will be a big-time offensive weapon pic.twitter.com/SPqZyucmV1
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 20, 2022
Tonight's lesson: take better care of the basketball.
Dejounte Murray up to FIVE steals.
He's been picking the #Rockets pockets all night long.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 20, 2022
They've had some really quality looks, just can't get anything to drop
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 20, 2022
Jabari Smith's first NBA basket is from DEEP pic.twitter.com/OmZXcLY0LE
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) October 20, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. turned up the sliders on his ball handling! Nice dribble drive to attack the basket and finish at the rim. pic.twitter.com/6TTAXkaSkT
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) October 20, 2022
Most Points By A Rookie In Rockets History In His NBA Debut
25 — Elvin Hayes
24 — Hakeem Olajuwon
18 — Ralph Sampson
17 — Jabari SmithAll the players on this list are hall of famers. Jabari is part of some elite company 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/h6tRVngoal
— NBA Muse (@NBAMuse24) October 20, 2022
Awesome debut tonight for the top picks in the 2022 Draft:
Paolo Banchero (#1 pick) – 27 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast
Jabari Smith (#3 pick) – 17 pts, 7 reb, 1 ast
Jaden Ivey (#5 pick) – 19 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast
Bennedict Mathurin (#6 pick) – 19 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) October 20, 2022
