Heading into the preseason, the big question for the Houston Rockets was how they would adjust to the potentially season ending knee injury suffered by veteran guard Fred VanVleet.
Through one week of training camp and an exhibition, it’s newcomer JD Davison — last season’s G League Most Valuable Player with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s affiliate club — who is suddenly making a push for some of those vacated minutes.
The Rockets defeated the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, 122-113 (box score), and Davison was outstanding off Houston’s bench. In 22 minutes, the 23-year-old guard finished with 17 points and 4 assists while making 6-of-9 shots (66.7%), including 5-of-7 from 3-point range (71.4%).
“He’s been great,” head coach Ime Udoka told Rockets Wire regarding Davison’s play. “Very aggressive, handles it well, makes good decisions out of the pick and roll. He’s a big body who can pick up full court, so he brings aggression on both sides of the ball.”
Other statistical lines of note, for both teams, included:
Kevin Durant did not play, though he is expected to feature in Houston’s second exhibition on Wednesday night (at home versus Utah).
Complete highlights and select postgame interview segments are available below.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets win preseason opener over Hawks as JD Davison pushes for more minutes
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
