LAS VEGAS — Rockets rookie Tari Eason wanted to make a solid first impression in front of his head coach Stephen Silas, who was sitting on the sidelines to watch Houston take on Orlando in the first game of the 2022 NBA summer league. Before teammates Jalen Green, Jae’Sean Tate, KJ Martin, Alperen Sengun, and more could get settled in their seats, Eason made them stand right back to their feet.
Twelve seconds into the game, Daishen Nix found Eason coming off a screen he had set for Jabari Smith Jr. Eason took one dribble and exploded towards the rim for a thunderous dunk over Emanuel Terry, giving Houston its first two points and bringing the crowd to its feet.
“Me and Jabari had talked before the game, and he asked me if I was going to dunk on someone, and I said, ‘Yeah, bro,’” Eason said postgame. “It just happened to be the first play of the game and my first real NBA bucket. That was special.”
