With veteran guards Sterling Brown and DJ Augustin both unavailable due to new injuries, recent signing Armoni Brooks took advantage of a sudden opportunity with the Rockets by scoring 14 points in just 14 minutes. Houston still lost Monday’s game in Phoenix, 126-120 (recap), but it was a relatively encouraging showing versus a squad with the second-best record in the Western Conference on the season.
Monday’s showing represents a career-high scoring total for the second-year pro, who connected on 4-of-5 shots (80%) from 3-point range. “That was awesome to see,” head coach Stephen Silas said of Brooks. “We had him in in the fourth quarter of a tight game, and he was stepping up and making shots. That was great. It was something really cool to see.”
Brooks finished the game in Houston’s closing lineup alongside rotation regulars such as John Wall, Kevin Porter Jr., and Christian Wood. Prior to Monday, he had yet to score in an NBA game and was primarily known for his strong performances as a shooter in the G League.
“I think my ‘Oh, wow’ moment was just checking in the game, and seeing Chris Paul come into the game,” Brooks said postgame. “And it was kind of like, ‘Wow, like, this is Chris Paul in front of me.'”
Houston returns to action on Wednesday at home versus Indiana, and Brooks appears to be making a case for more minutes.
🏀 14 points in 14 minutes
🚀 @snipabrooks_ pic.twitter.com/z5w6C08Fho— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 13, 2021
Stephen Silas on Armoni Brooks (@snipabrooks_): “That was awesome.That was awesome to see. Four of five from three.Had him in in the 4th quarter of a tight game & he was stepping up & making shots.That was great. It was something really cool to see.” @UHCougarMBK @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/J27zcJfe2u
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 13, 2021
Armoni Brooks (@snipabrooks_): “I think my oh wow moment was just checking in the game and seeing Chris Paul come into the game and it was kind of like wow like this is Chris Paul in front of me.” pic.twitter.com/kQKampdSNq
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 13, 2021
#Rockets guard Armoni Brooks says he’s been in contact with the @UHCougarMBK coaches: “They were some of the first people I called (after he signed with the Rockets).They were so excited for me.They’re probably texting me right now telling me how happy they are for me to be here” pic.twitter.com/NAwNGueE9p
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 13, 2021
