Josh Okogie made a strong case for a key role in the Houston Rockets’ rotation, dropping 28 points to lead his team to a commanding 133–115 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, as the Rockets rounded off their preseason campaign.
Head coach Ime Udoka rolled out a starting lineup featuring Aaron Holiday, Reed Sheppard, Jeff Green, Okogie, and Isaiah Crawford. Despite missing some regular starters, the Rockets’ second unit stepped up impressively, maintaining intensity on both ends of the floor.
Beyond his scoring outburst, Okogie showcased his trademark versatility, finishing with three assists, three rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in 32 minutes. His defensive instincts were on full display, notably denying Hawks star Trae Young and center Kristaps Porziņģis before converting both plays on the other end.
The Rockets shared the scoring load, with seven of their eight players hitting double figures. Reed Sheppard led all scorers with 29 points, while Isaiah Crawford added 20. Veterans Jeff Green and Aaron Holiday chipped in 16 points apiece, JD Davison contributed 14, and Kevon Harris had 10.
More Read
For the Hawks, Zaccharie Risacher led with 24 points, Porziņģis recorded a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 17, and Trae Young finished with 12 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.
Okogie, who joined the Rockets on a one-year veteran deal, looks to have found a natural fit in Udoka’s defense-first system – one that complements his relentless energy and defensive prowess. Widely regarded as one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders, the D’Tigers guard seems poised to thrive in Houston’s culture.
The Rockets have now won all four of their preseason games and will open their regular season against the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
© Bold Sports Media. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
