Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - News - October 09, 2024 | FOX Sports

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・October 10, 2024 October 10 Oct 10

Rockets finish game on 21-7 run, beat Thunder in OT

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Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Adam Flagler - Scores 25 points in preseason gameFlagler notched 25 points (9-17 FG, 5-10 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, an assist and a steal across 35 minutes in Thursday's 117-89 preseason win over the New Zealand Breakers.

ImpactThe Thunder rested all of their regular and gave extra minutes to players with a minimal shot of making the Opening Night roster, but Flagler certainly made the most of the opportunity. He led the Thunder in scoring and could've earned some extra minutes ahead of Oklahoma City's final two preseason games, against Denver and Atlanta, on Oct. 15 and 17, respectively.

OCTOBER 11•ROTOWIRE

Chet Holmgren - Limited impact WednesdayHolmgren ended with 10 points (2-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-8 FT), six rebounds and three assists across 17 minutes in Wednesday's 122-113 preseason loss to the Rockets.

ImpactHolmgren had a rough shooting performance in this preseason contest, but he still made his presence felt on the glass and as a playmaker. The second-year big man is set to open the season in a starting role, though his position and partner in the frontcourt are still undetermined. Holmgren will aim to improve in his sophomore year after averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game as a rookie across 82 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.

OCTOBER 10•ROTOWIRE

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Efficient in preseason lossGilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT) while adding two rebounds, six assists and a block across 19 minutes in Wednesday's 122-113 preseason loss to the Rock...

ImpactGilgeous-Alexander was one of the best players in the 2023-24 NBA season, and that doesn't figure to change in 2024-25 as long as he remains healthy. Preseason stats are almost meaningless for star players, but if this game serves as any indication, then the star floor general is more than ready for the regular-season opener against the Nuggets on Oct. 24.

OCTOBER 10•ROTOWIRE

Isaiah Hartenstein - Grabs nine rebounds off benchHartenstein posted six points (2-3 FG, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block across 15 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's 122-113 preseason loss to the Rocke...

ImpactHartenstein came off the bench in this one after the Thunder decided to go with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren in the frontcourt, but there's no question the former Knicks big man made his presence felt even if his scoring numbers weren't eye-popping. It's unclear if Hartenstein will open the season in a starting role or not, but a frontcourt with him and Holmgren would certainly be an imposing duo, particularly on the defensive end.

OCTOBER 10•ROTOWIRE

Dillon Brooks - Goes for 15 points WednesdayBrooks accounted for 15 points (4-9 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and an assist across 22 minutes in Wednesday's 122-113 preseason win over the Thunder.

ImpactBrooks didn't play in the previous preseason game due to rest purposes, but the veteran wing logged some much-needed minutes in this one, as he aims to ramp up before the regular-season opener against the Hornets on Oct. 23. It seems Brooks is more than ready to start the campaign, as he finished as Houston's second-highest scorer in this game while showing an accurate touch from beyond the arc. Brooks is penciled in to open the campaign as the starting small forward, flanked by Jalen Green at shooting guard and Jabari Smith at power forward.

OCTOBER 10•ROTOWIRE

Reed Sheppard - Makes impact off benchSheppard delivered 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), four rebounds, two assists and a steal across 23 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's 122-113 preseason win over the Thunder...

ImpactSheppard was one of four Houston players who scored in double digits in this game, and he continues to prove he's more than ready to leave his mark in the NBA as a rookie, particularly from a scoring perspective. Sheppard was the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and while he figures to play a huge role in the organization's long-term picture, he's expected to open the 2024-25 campaign as a bench option since Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green will operate as the starting backcourt.

OCTOBER 10•ROTOWIRE

Alperen Sengün - Sniffs double-doubleSengun recorded 17 points (3-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 11-12 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals across 22 minutes in Wednesday's 122-113 preseason win over the Thunder.

ImpactSengun led the Rockets in scoring in this one, but he found a way to make an impact on the boards and defensively as well while ending just one rebound shy of a double-double. Even though it's only the preseason, Sengun is showing he's more than ready to start the campaign and picked things up right where he left them off in 2023-24. The big man is expected to play a massive role for the Rockets on both ends of the court, and his ability to fill the stat sheet across several categories should make him one of the most sought-after big men across all fantasy formats.

OCTOBER 10•ROTOWIRE