Short-Handed Houston Rockets Fall to San Antonio Spurs in Preseason Defeat

The Houston Rockets dropped their first preseason game Wednesday night against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

The Houston Rockets received their first look at No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama Wednesday night. And despite the game being a preseason contest, coach Ime Udoka understood that each meeting against the 19-year-old French phenom would be an anticipated contest. 

"Everybody understands the unique talents that he has and it's intriguing to everyone," Udoka said. "It's good for our team to play against somebody unique like that. We will see him several times this year and for years to come. To see that talent and uniqueness up front is going to be interesting."

Wembanyama finished the game with 15 points (3-10 FG, 2-5 3PT), six rebounds and two blocks. His contributions were enough to help the San Antonio Spurs send the Rockets home with their first preseason defeat, as Houston fell 117-103. 

With the loss, the Rockets split their two-game preseason series against the Spurs inside the Frost Bank Center. 

The Rockets had a horrendous start to their fourth preseason game. They missed seven consecutive shots, which led to Houston trailing 17-0 within five minutes.

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Doug McDermott / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Vassell drilled three consecutive triples to open the game. His hot start led to the Rockets entering the second quarter trailing 30-13. Vassell finished with a game-high 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field, 5-for-10 from behind the arc.

Outside of the first quarter, the Rockets had modest production on the offensive end. Jabari Smith Jr. helped Houston cut San Antonio's double-digit lead to single digits midway through the third quarter. Smith finished with 20 points and five rebounds in the loss. 

Smith and Alperen Sengun were the lone starters who participated in Game 2 of the Rockets' preseason series. Udoka sidelined Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet due to rest. 

Sengun finished with five points while missing nine of his 10 field goal attempts. Due to picking up six fouls, Sengun's night ended during the third quarter. Rookie Cam Whitmore added 17 points, six rebounds and six steals.

Tari Eason and Jalen Green missed their second consecutive game:

Jalen Green and Tari Eason missed their second consecutive preseason game against the Spurs. Green was out due to an ongoing "toenail problem." Eason remained sidelined due to a leg contusion.

Up Next:

The Rockets will close their five-game preseason schedule Friday night in a home game against the Miami Heat. Houston will open its 2023-24 season with a two-game road trip, which will begin on Oct. 25 against the Orlando Magic. Tip-off between the Rockets and Heat is slated for 7 p.m. CST inside the Toyota Center.