Rockets HC Udoka Says Jock Landale "Playing at a High Level" With Alpy Out

The Matt Thomas Show

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka joins The Matt Thomas Show to review the Rockets defeating the San Antonio Spurs 103-101 Tuesday to earn four straight road wins. The Rockets beat the Sacramento Kings 112-104 Sunday, but in the final minutes of the game, Alperen Şengün challenged King's center Domantas Sabonis in a transition play that resulted in an awkward fall for Şengün who was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. X-rays and MRI show that Şengün suffered a severely sprained ankle and a bruised knee that will not require surgery but will keep him out of the lineup for at least a couple of weeks. Amen Thompson joined the starting lineup against the Spurs and Jabari Smith Jr. moved to center on Tuesday. "Amen can guard 1-4" and "we feel we can play him in any lineup," Udoka said. Jock Landale has also seen increased minutes due to Şengün's injury. Şengün had a "phenomenal year" and "he took the biggest step," but Landale is "playing at a high level and we need it with Alpy being out," Udoka said. After losing to the Spurs in October, the Rockets have won the last three meetings, holding Victor Wembanyama to an average 14.8 points per game in those four matchups. Wembanyama is "adapting quickly and the talent is there," but the Rockets have been able to "take away his space and get him off his spots." The Rockets will host the Washington Wizards on Thursday.