Thursday’s NBA summer league opener in Las Vegas was billed as a nationally televised showdown between two of the top rookies from the 2022 draft — No. 1 overall choice Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic versus No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. and the Houston Rockets.
Smith held his own and showed flashes as the game progressed, but fellow rookie Caleb Houstan stole the show for the Magic with 20 points in 28 minutes off the bench on 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%), leading to Orlando’s 91-77 win (box score) at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Smith finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in 29 minutes for the Rockets (0-1), and he was as impactful as advertised on defense — particularly on switches against Magic guards. Meanwhile, Banchero had 17 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds for Orlando (1-0).
Houston was short-handed on the interior, with projected starting center Usman Garuba unavailable due to a left ankle sprain. He could return when the Rockets resume their summer league schedule on Saturday versus No. 2 draft pick Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City.
Tari Eason was the highest usage rookie for the Rockets, collecting 14 points and 13 rebounds while playing tough defense over 24 minutes. However, he struggled with his jump shot, shooting just 6-of-17 (35.3%) and 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%). Second-year guard Josh Christopher led the way in scoring with 22 points on 7-of-18 shooting (38.9%).
Our Brian Barefield is on the scene in Las Vegas and will have more postgame content on Friday. Until then, here’s a look at highlights and immediate reaction by players, coaches, media members, and fans.
FINAL: Magic 91, #Rockets 77
Josh Christopher: 22 pts, 7-18 FG, only one ast
Jabari Smith: 10 pts on 4-10 FG, 7 reb, 3 ast
Tari Eason: 12 pts, 13 reb, just 2-9 3P
TyTy Washington: 7 pts, 3 ast
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 8, 2022
Love that they ran another set to get Jabari at the elbow in triple-threat.
Led to drawing a foul on Banchero.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 8, 2022
Biggest disappointment of tonight’s game is Usman Garuba’s ankle
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) July 8, 2022
Paolo Banchero’s court vision is spectacular.
Man.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 8, 2022
Tempted to say Houston should sit Josh Christopher for the rest of Summer League, but my soul couldn’t handle how bad that offense could get.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) July 8, 2022
Tempted to say Houston should sit Josh Christopher for the rest of Summer League, but my soul couldn’t handle how bad that offense could get.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) July 8, 2022
Only his third attempt of the night.
Need some overlapping TyTy/Jabari minutes to create solid looks from deep. https://t.co/lK7Du7t5Iv
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 8, 2022
That 3 from Jabari Smith was just as HC Silas described some of the things Smith will do for them when he was on the TV broadcast. As the trailing big on the pull up 3 from the top. #Rockets
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 8, 2022
I’ve seen that jumpshot like a 100 times and it looks exactly the same every single time. Just perfect.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) July 8, 2022
It’s like we were gifted all these new toys and Josh Christopher is making sure we can only play with the ones we already had.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 8, 2022
A spectacular blocked shot by Josh Christopher was called a foul, but overturned after a coaches’ challenge. Came after a sensational Banchero pass.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 8, 2022
Josh Christopher’s rotations to the rim + his protection have been exactly what Silas was referring to in the next step of improvement for the young group defensively.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) July 8, 2022
The entire #Rockets roster — minus Boban — is here in Vegas to support the Summer League squad.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 8, 2022
Trying not to overreact based on half of one summer league game, but it’s hard not to see the case for more TyTy Washington usage.
Jabari (and Tari, for that matter) need a backcourt creator to play to their current strengths, and TyTy is the best option they have in this group
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 8, 2022
The thing that’s going to be frustrating about this summer league team — Jabari and Tari are both ideal secondary playmakers early in their NBA careers.
Unfortunately, this group doesn’t have a ton of primary ones
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 8, 2022
He’s also a rookie that will become better at some of this stuff (handling/fluidity). Playing off Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun may be what’s best for his early career development.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) July 8, 2022
Rockets have had an issue getting Jabari Smith Jr the ball. Set is to get Smith Jr in the post. Gets swung to the top as he posts. Then gets thrown to the other team. pic.twitter.com/lcwOzyXDOe
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) July 8, 2022
Eason goes coast-to-coast. He is all kinds of fun. John Lucas might need to iron out that shot, but he did knock down a 3.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 8, 2022
“I love you Tari!” — Jale