Though the young Houston Rockets (15-43) are effectively out of contention already for the 2022 NBA playoffs, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to play for over the final 24 regular-season games.
And yes, it goes beyond establishing 2022 NBA draft lottery odds.
Houston’s backcourt of the future, featuring third-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. and prized rookie Jalen Green, is still learning how to play together. Each player missed approximately one month with an injury early in the 2021-22 season, and Porter was also limited or absent in multiple games leading up to the recent All-Star break due to an illness.
“It’s going to be better and better over time,” said Porter, who is averaging 13.7 points and 6.2 assists in 30.1 minutes per game this season — including an impressive 38.0% clip on 3-pointers.
Coming out of the break, Porter and Green are each healthy and ready to go, starting with Friday night’s game in Orlando. At Thursday’s practice, both young guards expressed clear anticipation for the remaining games and explained what they’re looking to do on the court.
Among Porter’s other comments:
We need momentum going into next year. Not even (for) next year — finishing off this season, we want to finish the right way. We show flashes, but we want to be more consistent with the 24 games. We want to take it real serious, and try to win each and every game.
We’re going to try to jell, me and J’s chemistry on the court, because next year we’ve got to be scary. We’re going to be scary.
Houston #Rockets Kevin Porter Jr on finishing season with momentum "next year we gotta be scary, we're going to be scary". pic.twitter.com/cT27mM0mP8
— Allen Reid 🎥🇺🇸 (@KPRC2Allen) February 24, 2022
Regarding the games ahead and developing chemistry with his backcourt mate, Green said (via Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle):
It’s going to be super important. It takes a whole team to get a win, but me and Kev, I feel like, are the main people handling the ball. We need that firepower coming into the last 24 games.
Green’s shooting efficiency has improved significantly in February, but many of those minutes came with Porter off the court due to illness. Now, the challenge is for both to click at the same time.
As for the duo’s ultimate future, Porter summed it up succinctly. “Both killers,” he said. “Two killers together is better than one.”
