In Monday’s exhibition loss to the Rockets, the Spurs gave top rookie Victor Wembanyama and talented young guard Devin Vassell a night off for planned maintenance.
In Wednesday’s rematch in the same building, both returned and made a clear impact in San Antonio’s 117-103 victory (box score) over a short-handed Houston side.
Vassell was electric with a game-high 25 points in only 25 minutes, shooting 8-of-14 from the field (57.1%) and 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50%).
Wembanyama added 15 points and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes, although Jabari Smith Jr. offered capable defense to help limit the French phenom to 3-of-10 shooting (30%).
Though Wembanyama and Vassell returned for the Spurs, Jalen Green (toenail) and Tari Eason (left lower leg contusion) remained out for the Rockets. Houston veterans Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Jeff Green sat out to rest. Those absences, coupled with a nearly full-strength San Antonio squad, led to Houston’s first loss under Ime Udoka, whose team is 3-1 in the 2023-24 preseason. The Spurs are 2-2.
On offense, Smith led the way with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting (50%) and 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.6%). The second-year forward grabbed 5 rebounds and hit 4-of-4 free throws over 24 minutes.
Rookie wing Cam Whitmore had 17 points, 6 rebounds and a game-high 6 steals in 30 minutes for the Rockets, though he shot just 4-of-15 overall (26.7%) and 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%). Veteran forward Jae’Sean Tate added 13 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes on 4-of-8 shooting (50%) and 1-of-2 from 3-point range (50.0%).
Nate Williams had 19 points and 8 rebounds off the Houston bench in 23 minutes, shooting 8-of-15 (53.3%) overall.
Here are highlights and interviews from Wednesday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Houston will conclude its exhibition slate on Friday night with a home game versus Miami.
Oct. 18 Rockets-Spurs reaction
back-to-back for @jabarismithjr 👏
📊 22 PTS
📊 5 REB pic.twitter.com/EfA4wwIoVn— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 19, 2023
AARON HOLIDAY ➡️ JOCK LANDALE#Rockets vs Spurs@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/6gtvEwjAkC
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 19, 2023
Cam Whitmore, steal machine. Didn't back down when driving towards Wemby. Oh, and has been locked in on defense.
How did this guy fall to 20??
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 19, 2023
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 19, 2023
sheesh Nate!
go ahead, 19 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BrkNum6fYs
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 19, 2023
finish strong.
😤 @_camwhitmore_ pic.twitter.com/nEBJm7cHSS
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 19, 2023
and-one for the rook! 💪 pic.twitter.com/JQVAJbxiFT
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 19, 2023
welcome back, @landalejock 😤@Toyota | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/qxlfP0qA5k
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 19, 2023
Cam Whitmore going right at Victor Wembanyama in transition.
Fearless.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 19, 2023
When Jabari elevates on that turnaround jumper it looks pretty much unguardable.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 19, 2023
Amen Thompson struggling a bit when the Spurs pressure the basketball.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 19, 2023
1st quarter thoughts:
-Spurs have all their key guys and the Rockets are missing three starters + two key bench contributors, so yea..
-No amount of ball movement fixes spacing with Amen/Tate/Sengun all on the floor at the same time. You can *maybe* get away with two…
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 19, 2023
Just been a rough night for Alperen Sengun as he picks up his 6th foul — 5 points on 1-for-10 shooting, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a block.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 19, 2023
25 points on 8-for-12 shooting (5-for-8 from 3) at the half. Devin Vassell’s confidence seemingly grows with every game. Smooth, athletic, three-level scorer with legitimate range. Should be in store for a big leap this season if he can remain healthy.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 19, 2023
Jock Landale three-ball watch 👀
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 19, 2023
Víctor Wembanyama is not real
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 19, 2023
Jeremy Sochan tried to snatch the ball from Amen Thompson after the backcourt violation, but Amen held onto it and shoved Sochan after he tried a second time.
Love that mentality.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 19, 2023
7 feet 4 inch Wemby goes through the defenders legs 🤯
Spurs/Rockets live on the NBA App pic.twitter.com/WVTmIDDlfO
— NBA (@NBA) October 19, 2023
If Cam Whitmore is in the #Rockets rotation this season it’ll be because of his defense. He’s been switching with ease, having success using his strength manning up on defenders and destroying passing lanes for easy transition plays
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) October 19, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. really might mess around and be the #Rockets best player this season.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 19, 2023
I don't want to hear "The #Rockets need to trade Jalen Green" ever again.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 19, 2023
The rim when the rockets shoot pic.twitter.com/bqSH9TAxFL
— Apathetic (@ftank58) October 19, 2023
The Rockets’ best player in preseason so far has been Jabari Smith Jr. pic.twitter.com/KDy5PsCVN8
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) October 19, 2023
Offensively this is the worst Alpi has ever looked, it's not even so much what the Spurs are doing, he's just not sharp at all with his shot or around the rim
— Abel (@AbelGe87) October 19, 2023
Really would like to know why the Rockets played so careless and with poor effort in these games after what they showed against New Orleans, this has been a major letdown
— Abel (@AbelGe87) October 19, 2023
Wemby scored 15 points, grabbed 6 boards and blocked 2 shots in the Spurs #NBAPreseason win against the Rockets 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rlULhNXpit
— NBA (@NBA) October 19, 2023
#Rockets vs Spurs tonight on Space City Home Network
Ime Udoka talks facing top pick Victor Wembanyama
Our @HoustonRockets coverage begin at 6:30PM with the Pregame Show pic.twitter.com/lHXUJ0JgYy
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 18, 2023
Ime Udoka said pregame the plan is to "shut a few guys down at half" and take a look at some of the "second and third unit guys."
Mentioned that Friday's game against Miami Heat will be more of a true "dress rehearsal" with real minutes and rotations.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 18, 2023
Houston Rockets No. 20 pick Cam Whitmore had SIX steals in the preseason vs. San Antonio, but struggled from the field:
📊 17 PTS, 6 REB, 6 STL, 4/15 FGM, 30 MIN, Loss
Whitmore has been impressing in all different areas this preseason 💯 pic.twitter.com/iPyjgBzYri
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) October 19, 2023
I honestly don’t see how they keep him off the court. Gotta find minutes for him, too talented not to. https://t.co/0Gnj8WW7If
— B. Scott (@brandonkscott) October 19, 2023
Rockets get their first loss of the preseason in a game they were down 20 in the first quarter.
Jabari Smith had a nice game with 20 points, Cam Whitmore showed that he's headed in the right direction, and Jae'Sean Tate was productive.
I badly miss Jalen Green and Tari Eason.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
Jock Landale just hit his 2nd 3 of the game, no hesitation, and he wasn't wide open either. That's good to see
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
Much better game by Cam Whitmore tonight, process wise. He's also made a tangible impact defensively.
9 FTA, 6 steals, +2
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
20 Points for Jabari Smith! He's lowkey going off.
The fact that he's able to do that with the poor guard play he's gotten tonight is telling
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
Love to see Jabari attacking off the bounce pic.twitter.com/KC0pvrqsW8
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) October 19, 2023
I'm audibly clapping now. There you go!! Get penetration, create from there, this is what you're supposed to do
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
Jeenathan Williams is legit, man. Well rounded player
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
Sincerely hope the refusal to run the offense through Alperen Sengun tonight is due to the coaching staff's desire to not show their hand against the Spurs, since they play them in the 2nd game of the regular season.
If it's not that, we might have a problem.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
Amen's gotta keep working on that handle and adding to his bag every single game. He'll become a reliable creator eventually but it might not be as soon as we hoped
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
Yeaaaah the 3 in 2 out lineup is probably not gonna cut it I cant lie pic.twitter.com/K5wnaoUuVR
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) October 19, 2023
Can tell Amen doesn't know how to run an offense yet, especially under pressure. Just swinging the ball to the next guy.
Gotta let Sengun run the offense in these lineups.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 19, 2023
Talked about using Dillon Brooks as the primary Wemby defender on @LockedOnRockets & @RocketsWatch, but Jae'Sean Tate is roughly the same idea.
Smaller, stronger wing to be extra physical with Wemby.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 19, 2023
SPURS 117
ROCKETS 103JOCK LANDALE TONIGHT
10 POINTS
3 REBS
1 AST
1 STEAL
2/2 2p (100%)
2/3 3p (67%)15 MINS#AussieNBA #JockLandale #Rockets pic.twitter.com/GNqaTutF5k
— AussieBallersNBA (@AussieBallinUSA) October 19, 2023
Alperen Sengun in the 2023 Preseason against the San Antonio Spurs:
8 points
2/18 shooting
0/4 from 3
8 fouls in 42 minutes (fouled out once) pic.twitter.com/TMznz8iEej— Sang (@SangRockets) October 19, 2023
