Rockets' Josh Christopher: Sidelined with sore hip
Rotowire
The Rockets announced Wednesday that Christopher will be sidelined for the remainder of Las Vegas Summer League play due to a sore right hip, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The second-year guard appeared in three games for the Rockets during the summer slate, averaging 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks across 26.8 minutes per contest. Christopher was already in good shape to enter the upcoming season as a rotation player for the Rockets, so his absence for the team's remaining summer schedule shouldn't affect his outlook heading into training camp.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Scores game-high 22
Rotowire
Christopher finished Thursday's Las Vegas Summer League game against the Magic with 22 points (7-18 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 7-8 FT), one rebound, one assist and three blocks in 25 minutes.
As a second-year player, Christopher was noticeably confident and clearly operating as the No. 1 creator for the Rockets whenever he was on the floor. While he didn't do much as a distributor, Christopher worked his way to the line eight times while finishing as a plus-four in a game Houston lost by 14 points. The 2021 first-round pick appeared in 74 games as a rookie, averaging 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 44.8 percent from the field. He hit only 29.6 percent of his threes, however, so the hope is that he can improve upon that figure. If the Rockets can move Eric Gordon before the start of the 2022-23 season, Christopher would be in position to step into a more prominent role.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Puts up 20 points off bench
Rotowire
Christopher totaled 20 points (9-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five rebounds, four assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Friday's 117-115 loss to Toronto.
The rookie out of Arizona State can certainly produce and has scored at least 20 points in three of his last six appearances off the bench, but he has also failed to surpass the six-point threshold in the other three games across that span. The inconsistencies are to be expected from a rookie, and while he doesn't currently carry a lot of value since the season is ending, he could be an intriguing add in dynasty formats.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Explodes for 30 points off bench
Rotowire
Christopher finished with 30 points (11-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-7 FT), three rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes during Sunday's 139-132 loss to the Timberwolves.
Christopher recorded his best game of the season by a wide margin, and the 30-point output was a career-high mark for the young guard. The inconsistencies on a game-to-game basis are normal for a rookie, but he's ending the year on a strong note by scoring in double digits in four of his last seven appearances, including putting up 20 points or more twice in that span.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Excellent play from bench
Rotowire
Christopher had 20 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-7 FT), six rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block across 30 minutes during Monday's 123-120 loss to the Spurs.
Houston's rookie first-round picks are certainly surging late in the season, as both Christopher and Jalen Green are enjoying increased usage and production. In the case of Christopher, he enjoyed a spike in playing time Monday with both Eric Gordon (groin) and Dennis Schroder (shoulder) sitting out. The two veterans are candidates to get shut down for the rest of the season as the Rockets prioritize younger players in their rebuild, so Christopher could be a sneaky source of fantasy value down the stretch.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Solid output off bench
Rotowire
Christopher racked up 17 points (8-17 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal over 26 minutes during Friday's 113-100 loss to the Mavericks.
Christopher had a solid performance in Friday's matchup, and he has been productive off the bench in recent outings. While the lack of consistency has been an issue with him, Christopher has cleared the 15-point mark while logging at least 20 minutes in each of his last three appearances. While he's not going to jump into the starting lineup right away, he's giving solid minutes off the bench for the Rockets, and his scoring ability could make him a decent fantasy pickup -- though matchup-based -- in deep formats, as long as he's able to keep this up.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Pours in 21 points in win
Rotowire
Christopher finished with 21 points (8-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and one assist across 22 minutes Wednesday in the Rockets' 139-130 overtime victory over the Lakers.
Along with Christopher, fellow rookies Jalen Green (32 points) and Alperen Sengun (21 points) also cleared the 20-point threshold, becoming the first trio of teammates under 20 years old to reach that benchmark in the same game. Even though Houston returned Dennis Schroder (ankle) from a four-game absence, the Rockets were still without Christian Wood (illness) and Jae'Sean Tate (ankle), so Christopher could be a candidate to see his minutes tail off a bit if both Wood and Tate are back in action Friday against the Mavericks.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Solid production in loss
Rotowire
Christopher logged 16 points (6-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 28 minutes during Monday's 123-106 loss to Miami.
Christopher scored in double figures for the first time since Feb. 17 and scored his most points since Feb. 4. While Garrison Mathews drew the start with Eric Gordon (rest) out, Christopher played more minutes than Mathews and significantly outproduced him as a reserve. The rookie out of Arizona State will look to build off Monday's performance against the Lakers on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Sees just 17 minutes in win
Rotowire
Christopher posted eight points (4-6 FG), four rebounds and two assists across 17 minutes during Sunday's 123-112 victory over the Grizzlies.
Christopher failed to see more than 20 minutes for the fifth time in his last six games as his fantasy value continues to plummet. The fact he has been unable to step things up, even with Dennis Schroder on the sideline, does not bode well for his role moving forward. Barring a number of injuries to key players, Christopher can be safely left on the wire in all moderately shallow formats.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Looks good in increased opportunity
Rotowire
Christopher recorded 13 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, four assists and three steals in 26 minutes during Thursday's 142-111 loss to the Clippers.
The Rockets trailed big for much of the contest, giving Christopher the opportunity to see more than his usual amount of time on the court. He responded with his highest scoring effort since Feb. 4, which happened to be the last time he played more than 25 minutes prior to Thursday. Christopher has flashed potential when presented the opportunity this season -- he is averaging 16.1 points, 1.7 three-pointers and 1.8 steals per 36 minutes on the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Scores season-high mark Friday
Rotowire
Christopher racked up 23 points (7-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 7-8 FT), five rebounds, four assists and three steals in 29 minutes during Friday's 131-106 loss to the Spurs.
Christopher came out of nowhere to deliver his best scoring output of the campaign, but that wasn't enough as the Spurs raced out to a comfortable victory. Even though Christopher remains in a reserve role and that's not likely to change, it's worth noting that he's scored in double digits in four of his last five contests, so an uptick in his minutes might be happening sooner than later.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Gets green light
Rotowire
Christopher (thigh) is listed as available for Friday's tilt against the Trail Blazers, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.
Christopher was considered probable heading into the evening, so no surprise here. He has averaged 16.8 minutes in a reserve role over the previous five games.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Dealing with thigh issue
Rotowire
Christopher is probable for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers with a bruised left thigh, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.
Christopher was initially absent from Friday's injury report, but his availability is now in question due to the thigh injury, though he's still expected to be available. He's averaged 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 16.8 minutes off the bench over the past five games.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Productive in blowout loss
Rotowire
Christopher had 19 points (8-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, four assists and two steals in 27 minutes during Sunday's 141-123 loss to Minnesota.
Christopher has been an inconsistent contributor for the Rockets this year, but he shot 61.5 percent from the floor Sunday to post a season-high 19 points in the blowout loss. He's come off the bench in each of the last seven games and has topped 10 points in just three of those appearances.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Leads bench in scoring
Rotowire
Christopher recorded 13 points (3-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), two rebounds, four assists and three steals over 21 minutes during Monday's 133-113 loss to Philadelphia.
Despite another unremarkable offensive performance from Christopher, he racked up three steals and has totaled eight over his previous four games. However, he's mired in an 8-for-29 shooting slump. The return of Christian Wood and Kevin Porter (both suspended) will do no favors for Christopher's upside.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Shifts to bench
Rotowire
Christopher will come off the bench Tuesday against the Lakers, Adam Wexler of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Christopher made his first career NBA start Monday and had six points (2-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and two assists in 21 minutes. He'll return to the bench Tuesday with Kevin Porter (thigh) and Jalen Green (hamstring) back in action for Houston.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Making first NBA start
Rotowire
Christopher will start Monday's game against the Hornets, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 in Houston reports.
The Rockets have a number of players in the COVID protocols, including Garrison Mathews and Jae'Sean Tate, while neither Jalen Green (rest) nor Kevin Porter (hamstring) are expected to play Monday. As such, they'll once again shuffle the starting lineup and go with Armoni Brooks, Eric Gordon, Christopher, David Nwaba and Christian Wood. This will be the first start of Christopher's NBA career. Over his last nine games, the rookie has averaged 10.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 steals in 22.3 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Back to bench
Rotowire
Christopher will return to a bench role Monday against the Bulls, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Christopher drew his first start of the season Saturday against Detroit and finished in double figures, but with Armoni Brooks back in action, he'll return to his typical bench role. He's logged close to 30 minutes in each of his last three contests, playing 27, 33 and 28 minutes, respectively.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Mixed bag in first start
Rotowire
Christopher posted 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt), seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and five turnovers in 28 minutes during Saturday's 116-107 win over the Pistons.
Christopher shot efficiently and got his teammates involved in his first career start but struggled to take care of the ball. Once the Rockets get a healthier backcourt, Christopher's role will presumably be decreased dramatically.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Josh Christopher: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Christopher is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Pistons, Salman Ali of the Clutch Points App reports.
Christopher will be making the first start of his young NBA career Saturday against the Pistons. The first-round draft pick out of Arizona State will enter the lineup in place of the injured Armoni Brooks (ankle) and is in line for an extended look with the starting group. Christopher has seen his usage increase as of late, as he's averaging 12.3 points, 2.3 assists, two rebounds and 1.3 steals in 23.5 minutes per game over his last six contests.
