Josh Okogie is Poised for a Major Role With the Rockets

The Houston Rockets have begun to find momentum following a slow start to their season. After opening with two losses, they secured back-to-back victories against the Brooklyn Nets and the Toronto Raptors, winning 139-121 in the latter game.

Adjusting the Starting Lineup

The Rockets are still determining the best lineup to support stars Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson. Jabari Smith Jr., who contributed 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists, has shown clear progress and appears to have secured a spot in the starting five.

With Fred VanVleet sidelined for the season, the final starting position remains unsettled. Coach Ime Udoka has experimented with various options. Opening night featured a towering lineup with Steven Adams joining the backcourt players, creating one of the tallest lineups in NBA history.

Josh Okogie's Emerging Role

In their recent wins over the Nets and Raptors, the Rockets moved away from a big lineup approach. Instead, Josh Okogie was added as a guard, allowing players to occupy their normal positions. Despite a defense that has struggled early in the season, Houston’s offense has excelled, even with Okogie, known for his defensive play, on the floor.

"The 6-foot-4 guard has certainly proven to be an efficient option. Against the Raptors, he put up 10 points, one rebound and two assists on 4-of-5 shooting in just 23 minutes."

On the season, Okogie is averaging 9.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1 assist per game, demonstrating his value as a productive member of the Rockets' rotation.

Summary

Josh Okogie is emerging as a key contributor for Houston, blending solid defense with efficient scoring, making him a likely fixture in the Rockets' starting lineup moving forward.

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Sports Illustrated — 2025-10-31