The opener is coming! The Rockets will host the Eastern Conference Pacers!
The 2023-24 NBA season is finally about to kick off with the Houston Rockets taking on the Indiana Pacers at Toyota Center on Wednesday.
Not surprisingly, fans had their first chance to watch offseason signing aces Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. Of course, it was also the home debut of newly drafted rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. Both are first-round rookies this year, and they are strong.
While Thompson is expected to come off the bench, he could be paired with Tyrese Halliburton. You know, Halliburton is considered one of the best young point guards in the NBA. So when Thompson began his career, he was likely to be an important helper by Halliburton's side.
If Haliburton plays, it will bring morale to the Pacers. He missed Monday's preseason opener in Memphis after representing Team USA at this summer's FIBA World Cup. If nothing else, he will start his season debut in Houston.
Based on training camp, it seems likely that Rockets' new head coach Ime Udoka will put together a lineup in the preseason featuring VanVleet, Brooks, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperon Shinkyung.
Contest date: Wednesday, October 11
Race time: 8 a.m
Potential starting lineup:
1. Houston Rockets (0-0 in preseason)
Point guard: VanVleet
Quarterback: Jaylen Green
Small forward: Dillon Brooks
Power forward: Jabari Smith Jr
Center: Alperon Shinkyung
2. Indiana Pacers (0-1 preseason)
Point guard: T.J. McConnell
Quarterback: Bruce Brown
Small forward: Benedict Mathurin
Power forward: Obi Topin
Center: Miles Turner
Injury Report:
The Rockets have 20 players who are healthy, but they won't all play, playing in the first and second half. Tyrese Halliburton may not play, Daniel Theis is also absent, Andrew Nebard is out, T. J. McConnell is the only point guard available to the Pacers.
