'He's a Competitor': Houston Rockets' Tari Eason Outshines San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Notebook

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama may have been the main attraction, but Tari Eason put on a show in front of the Houston Rockets' home crowd.

HOUSTON — Tari Eason had to overcome several obstacles to lead the Houston Rockets to a 93-82 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Monday night inside the Toyota Center. Eason spent the previous few days battling an upper respiratory infection, which listed him as questionable. 

"Everything hit me all at once," Eason said. "Coughing, nose congestion, sore throat, I had to take an IV before the game to get myself going. But even now, I will try to get better over the next few days."

With a team-best 18 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, Eason joked that his performance against the Spurs was his "Flu Game," referring to Michael Jordan's Finals performance in 1997, and the Rockets needed every minute of Eason's contributions to outcome rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. 

The 19-year-old French phenom nearly helped the Spurs break their 16-game losing streak by recording 15 points and 18 rebounds in the loss. The Spurs also had five players who scored in double figures.

The Rockets entered the fourth quarter hanging on to a four-point lead. As a result, Eason erupted for 14 points during the period, which included two of three made 3-point field goals.

The start of Eason's sophomore year has not been easy. He began the season missing the first six games due to a "stress reaction" in his left leg. The Rockets went 3-3 during his absence, which included an early season loss to the Spurs on Oct. 27. 

Eason's role in the Rockets' success has been significant, and his gritty play against the Spurs was tailor-made to extend Houston's home winning streak to 10.

"He’s a competitor that loves to play," coach Ime Udoka said. "Missed some time. It really bothered him. He’s not going to miss some more if possible.

"He impacted the game in a ton of ways, getting on loose balls, hitting big shots. We needed a little infusion, a spark there. Defense was great; offense wasn’t. He gave us a good boost."

Rockets forward Tari Eason reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Jabari Smith Jr. continues to clean the glass

Assistant coach Ben Sullivan is known for helping players improve their shooting. Jabari Smith Jr. has credited Sullivan's teachings for his increased shooting percentages. 

But Sullivan has also had an impact in helping Smith improve his rebounding. Smith pulled down 12 boards against the Spurs while scoring nine points in the win.

"I'm just trying to put my impact on the game," Smith said. "Whether that's scoring or rebounding, I am trying to be good in all aspects."

Before his career performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 6, Smith's rebounding resembled the mediocre production of his rookie year, where he averaged 7.8 boards through the first 17 games.

But after the Rockets' embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Sullivan challenged Smith to become more aggressive on the glass. He recorded a career-best 18 rebounds against the Thunder on Dec. 6. Smith has since recorded three consecutive games of 10 or more rebounds, averaging 13.3 during the span.

"He is just going after it, being more aggressive there," Udoka said. "He's battling on the defensive end. I think the offensive glass has really been his focus. He's on the perimeter a lot, and guys don't always turn and box out, and he's been having some free runs in there and getting us extra possessions. "He's been great as far as that."

Amen Thompson and Aaron Holiday share minutes:

Rookie guard Amen Thompson returned to Houston's lineup following a 15-game absence due to a Grade 2 ankle sprain. Thompson played 10:21 off the bench and recorded five rebounds, two points and one assist.

While Thompson was out, Aaron Holiday became a prominent contributor to Udoka's rotation. There were concerns about which player would lose minutes amid Thompson's return. However, it appears that Udoka will play the two respective parties together. 

Rockets' Amen Thompson Available vs. Spurs: 'We Missed Him'

Before an ankle injury sidelined Thompson for 15 games, the two respective parties shared the court simultaneously for four minutes. Against the Spurs, they played five minutes together, with Holiday playing 15 minutes in the win.

"I felt really good," Thompson said. "In the minutes I got, it felt like the conditioning I did in the time in the G [League] was really good for me...That's good having multiple playmakers on the court. It's easier for everybody else. I love my minutes with Aaron."