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KJ Martin sparks short-handed Rockets in competitive loss to Bucks

ben dubose
·3 min read

With only eight active players, including three rookies and one player signed only hours before tipoff, the Rockets were surprisingly competitive in Friday’s 141-133 loss (box score) at Milwaukee. The Bucks (43-24) have the No. 3 record in the Eastern Conference, while Houston (16-51) retains the NBA’s worst record in the 2020-21 season.

As such, it was a relatively strong showing by a very short-handed team. The Rockets trailed by only a point at halftime and came within two late in the third quarter. Rookie KJ Martin (26 points, 7 assists, 6-of-10 on 3-pointers) set career-highs in all of those categories, while fellow big man Kelly Olynyk had 23 points, 7 assists, and a game-high 12 rebounds.

In his first appearance in nearly a month, veteran point guard DJ Augustin returned from a sprained left ankle and had 17 points and 5 assists in 29 minutes. Meanwhile, newcomer Khyri Thomas scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting (85.7%) in his first game with the Rockets.

Rookie guard Armoni Brooks added 19 points and 6 assists off the bench, including 5-of-9 on 3-pointers (55.6%). As a team, the Rockets shot 25-of-52 on 3-pointers (48.1%), including six by Martin, five by Brooks, and four apiece by Augustin and rookie forward Anthony Lamb.

In a balanced effort, the Bucks had three players score 20 or more, including Brook Lopez (24 points, 7 rebounds), Khris Middleton (23 points), and Jrue Holiday (20 points, 8 assists). Back-to-back NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The Rockets were missing 10 of their 17 players under standard contracts, including Christian Wood (right ankle), John Wall (right hamstring), Jae’Sean Tate (left knee), Eric Gordon (right groin), Sterling Brown (left knee), Kevin Porter Jr. (left ankle), Avery Bradley (personal reasons), Dante Exum (left calf), David Nwaba (right wrist), and D.J. Wilson (health and safety protocols). Houston was able to dress eight active players, which is the minimum, by signing Thomas to a hardship exception.

See below for highlights, analysis, and postgame reaction from Friday’s loss in Milwaukee. The Rockets have a late flight to Utah to get ready for another game on Saturday, with tipoff at 9:00 p.m. Central.

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Houston Rockets player grades for 2020-21 season through April