For the second straight game, due to an injury to Daniel Theis, the Rockets started 19-year-old rookie Alperen Sengun next to Christian Wood on the frontline. Joined by Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., in the backcourt and Jae'Sean Tate at small forward. This same lineup delivered probably the most entertaining performance by the Rockets on the young season Tuesday night against the Lakers. Understandably, when the news broke prior to tipoff that Theis would be inactive yet again, I was hopeful for another promising showing from the Rockets' young core.
Eventually falling to the Suns 123-111, the Rockets got off to an ugly start, going down 16-5 early.