{"id":170790,"date":"2025-12-26T21:29:51","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T02:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=170790"},"modified":"2025-12-26T21:29:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T02:29:51","slug":"rockets-get-reinforcements-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/12\/26\/rockets-get-reinforcements-for-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Rockets Get Reinforcements For Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Houston Rockets won their Christmas Day clash<\/a> against the Los Angeles Lakers 119-96. The team\u2019s performance made for quite a present to Rockets fans. The blow-out win wasn\u2019t even necessarily the best part of it, though. The Rockets got two much-needed reinforcements as two players returned from injuries.<\/p>\n

Rockets Get Reinforcements For Christmas<\/h2>\n

The Long-Awaited Debut<\/h3>\n

One return from injury wasn\u2019t actually a return per se. It was a long-awaited debut<\/a>, as fans got the first glimpse of Dorian Finney-Smith<\/a> in a Rockets jersey.<\/p>\n

Finney-Smith was a free agency addition meant to shore up the Rockets\u2019 perimeter shooting. His strong defensive reputation also fits nicely with head coach Ime Udoka\u2019s priorities. Given that, the 3-and-D forward seemed like a strong early candidate for Houston\u2019s fifth starting spot.<\/p>\n

Finney-Smith played just 13 minutes off the bench in this game, though. He took a single shot \u2013 a decently open three \u2013 which he missed rather badly<\/a>. His only other counting stat was a defensive foul on Luka Doncic<\/a> during a botched double team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s impossible to know how long it will take for Finney-Smith\u2019s role in the rotation to settle. Even fully healthy, his playing style isn\u2019t one that typically draws the eye. Don\u2019t be surprised if his having a thirty-minute-a-night starter role sneaks up on you.<\/p>\n

Eason Rocks Out In Rockets Return<\/h3>\n

The Rockets\u2019 other returning player is never shy to make a strong impression. Six-f00t-eight wrecking ball forward Tari Eason<\/a> started in his first game back after a 14-game absence<\/a>. He played 26 minutes. In that time, he scored 13 points, had three rebounds, two assists, and a perfectly in-character four steals and two blocks (to go with a game-leading four fouls).<\/p>\n