With a 3-0 record going in, the Houston Rockets know that if they improve to 4-0 on Thursday night, they will qualify for the NBA’s 2023 summer-league playoffs (format) in Las Vegas. Each team owning a top-four record after four games, with average point differential used to break any ties, advances to a four-team playoffs.
For Houston, the math is simple. Entering Thursday, the Rockets were one of only four summer teams still unbeaten. Thus, if they stay that way after facing Golden State, they play in Sunday’s semifinals. A win in that game would place them in Monday’s championship.
The good news is that on paper, the Rockets should have a decent chance of advancing. Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski is one of the only widely recognizable names on the summer Warriors (0-3), who have yet to win a game in Las Vegas and will be on night two of a back-to-back. Houston hasn’t played since Tuesday afternoon.
Then again, the Rockets are short-handed, with rookie guard Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) out for a second straight game. Houston may need another strong game from two-way players Trevor Hudgins and Darius Days, as well as rookie Cam Whitmore, to advance.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Thursday, July 13
- Time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free) or via Watch ESPN, with active subscription
Potential starting lineups
These are based on each team’s latest summer-league game.
Houston Rockets (3-0)
- Guard: Trevor Hudgins
- Guard: Cam Whitmore
- Forward: Nate Hinton
- Forward: Darius Days
- Center: Jermaine Samuels Jr.
Golden State Warriors (0-3)
- Guard: Kendric Davis
- Guard: Brandin Podziemski
- Forward: Gui Santos
- Forward: Lester Quinones
- Center: Jayce Johnson
Injury/status reports
Houston will again be without Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) on Thursday night, and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) are out, as well. Big man Jay Huff left the summer-league team after reportedly signing a contract with another team.
Rockets’ complete 2023 summer league roster
Headlined by top rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, the #Rockets released their complete roster for the NBA’s 2023 summer league in Las Vegas. Their first game is Friday, July 7. https://t.co/1aKzRpyHHK
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) July 4, 2023
2023 Houston Rockets summer league schedule
Assuming health, Amen Thompson and the summer-league #Rockets will open play in July with a nationally televised matchup versus Scoot Henderson’s Trail Blazers. https://t.co/0TnQp5AmAF
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) June 23, 2023
Watch party in Houston
Thursday. #713Day #Rockets713 pic.twitter.com/1hL3ROEJOQ
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 11, 2023
