Short-Handed Rockets Win Third Consecutive Game In Victory vs. Thunder

Despite the absences of Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr., the Houston Rockets won their third consecutive Summer League contest in a blowout win against the Thunder.

The Houston Rockets recorded their third consecutive win in a 105-92 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night inside the Thomas & Mack Center. The Rockets remained undefeated in the Las Vegas Summer League tournament despite the absence of Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr.

Second-year undrafted prospect Trevor Hudgins led the Rockets in scoring with 26 points while adding seven assists. He accounted for five of the Rockets' 15-made triples. 

Jermaine Samuels Jr. gave Houston a lift in the absence of Eason. He made his first start and finished with 19 points in 34 minutes of play.

Rookie Cam Whitmore connected on a contested layup attempt six seconds after the opening tip. Whitmore's basket was the first two points of the game, which led to a 34-31 lead entering the second quarter. He finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Hudgins scored 11 of his 26 points during the first half. His contributions helped the Rockets enter halftime with a 62-46 lead. An 18-point advantage marked Houston's largest lead of the game.

The Rockets needed all hands on deck to help fill an empty void left by Smith, who averaged a Summer League-best 35.5 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Four players scored in double-figures for Houston, but Matthew Mayer had the second-most impressive performance. The rookie forward from Illinois recorded a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. 

K.J. Williams led the Thunder with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Jaden Shackelford added 16 points in the loss.

Following the win, the Rockets will try to improve to 4-0 in Summer League play Thursday night in a contest against the Golden State Warriors. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 P.M. CT inside the Thomas & Mack Center.

---

You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

Want the latest in news and insider information on the Houston Rockets? Click here

Follow Inside the Rockets on Facebook here

Follow Inside the Rockets on Twitter @InsideRocketsFN

Want even more Houston Rockets news? Check out the SI.com team page here