National NBA reporter for @YahooSports. Host of The IkoSystem. sports.yahoo.com/author/kell…
Houston, TX
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“I just wanna see you smile, man. That's it."
The pain stemming from a bitter Finals loss permeated a typically colorful Spurs locker room, but a playoff postmortem — and the agony of second place — will sting for a long, long time.
For @YahooSports:
sports.yahoo.com/nba/article…
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Jabari Smith Jr. on the 3rd quarter incident with Dejounte Murray:
“It was some disrespect that needed some straightening.”
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“The leaders are #3 and #13, everyone else falls in line. If you don’t? That’s why I’m here, I’ll make sure you fall in line.”
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Ime Udoka wearing a Gregg Popovich shirt tonight.
“Knew this day was coming a while ago. Glad I got a chance to work with him. Glad to call him a friend.”
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Boogie on if Harden could play with the team again: I don’t know. But I honestly don’t care.
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Source: Rockets closing in on a deal for a center, currently talking to two Eastern Conference teams. In addition to a center, they are willing to take on additional salary in exchange for assets.
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Mike D’Antoni on family restrictions for coaches: I’d be willing to sacrifice the journalists for my family
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Robert Covington took a 6 AM flight to Houston, caught a red-eye flight to LA, had a crash course film session with the coaching staff, and later was the difference maker in the clutch against the Lakers—on both ends of the floor.
theathletic.com/1591021/2020…
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Zion Williamson is furious, storming down the tunnel and shaking his head. What a win for Houston.
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If Reed Sheppard is shooting like this from NBA range, Houston’s halfcourt offensive efficiency has already improved.
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Morant has been one of Yuki’s biggest supporters behind the scenes. After MEM first preseason game, Morant repeatedly asked for the cameraman’s whereabouts, wanting to ensure that Kawamura got plenty of face time from the media.
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The Houston Rockets are waiving guard Daishen Nix, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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Houston’s #1 playoff-ranked defense held OKC to three made field goals in the final 8:22.
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The Rockets are working quickly to secure meetings with Dorian Finney-Smith, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard at the outset of free agency, team sources tell @TheAthletic.
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The former Sixth Man of the Year had recently narrowed his choices down to Phoenix, Golden State and had even considered a reunion in Houston, sources said.
Free agent Eric Gordon has agreed to a deal with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Massive get for the Suns.
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The Houston Rockets are working to complete a multi-year deal with free agent center Daniel Theis, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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A young fan gets emotional after meeting Kevin Porter Jr. after the game. She repeatedly said that Porter is her favorite player ever.
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Covering an NBA beat and going to school isn’t for the faint of heart but finish what you started. Velvet out 🤝
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James Harden asked by a kid about his step back move and whether it’s a travel—says he’s working on a new move this season that might look like a travel, but it’s not.
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Nicolas Batum will not be returning to the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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Westbrook: Right now I’m just running around. I gotta look at film figure out how to be effective.
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Multiple teams have inquired about P.J. Tucker’s availability and have expressed interest in acquiring the veteran forward, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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Per a team source, the Rockets have since spoken to Porter Jr. since the halftime incident and he’s apologetic for the overreaction.
Sources: After Rockets assistant John Lucas called out multiple players including Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood at halftime tonight vs. Nuggets, Porter had a heated exchange with Lucas, threw an object and promptly left the arena – and Wood refused to sub into second half.
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The Houston Rockets have extended a qualifying offer to Armoni Brooks, sources tell @TheAthletic
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James Harden was excused from practice today, for personal reasons. Can’t even imagine where he’s at mentally, having lost a close friend less than 24 hours ago.
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The Rockets are not interested in breaking up their core for Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources tell @TheAthletic. Houston, sitting at 10-5 and a game out of first in the West, remains focused on developing its young players as a collective.
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The Houston Rockets are re-signing veterans Jeff Green and Aaron Holiday to one-year deals at the veteran’s minimum, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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Source: Houston Rockets brought in free agent forward Luc Mbah a Moute for a workout today. Mbah a Moute last played in the NBA during the 2018-19 season due to injury.
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“He played his butt off. He’s gonna have a long career in this league.”
James Harden with high praise for Luguentz Dort, speaks to their ASU relationship
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The Houston Rockets are likely to decline the $44.9 million team option on veteran guard Fred VanVleet and discuss a new multi-year extension in the coming days, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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Porter said Jalen Green was one of the first people to know about the extension getting done.
“Blood couldn’t make us any closer.”
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Sources: Rockets guard Jalen Green hosting a players-only minicamp in LA this week, featuring the likes of Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr, Amen Thompson and more.
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The Houston Rockets are signing guard Khyri Thomas to a multiyear contract, sources tell me and @Rockets_Insider. Houston initially signed Thomas via hardship exception.
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The Houston Rockets plan to waive John Wall, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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In addition to Monta Ellis, Gerald Green also worked out for the Houston Rockets this week, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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James Harden: The situation is crazy and I don’t think it can be fixed. So, yea.
Harden proceeded to leave the podium.
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Stephen Silas says James Harden is still not with the team. “There is no timetable and it is a setback.”
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Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein is signing a two-year, $16.7 million deal with the New York Knicks, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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John Wall:
“I didn’t do anything wrong. All I did was get a haircut at my apartment. All of my tests came back negative. I’d rather get my hair cut in my apartment than be in a barbershop with people coming in and out, my barber also tested negative.”
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James Harden on whether his defense on Giannis should prove a point to those who doubt his ability on that end:
“ I don’t have nothing to prove to anybody. Nothing to say.”
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“Net rating, whatever that shit is that y’all use”—Russell Westbrook in defending James Harden’s defense
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The Houston Rockets are among the teams kicking the tires on the possible availability of wings Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, sources tell @TheAthletic.
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Kenyon Martin Jr. opens up on being traded by the #Rockets —
“They gave me an opportunity to come in and prove that I’m an NBA player. Houston will always have a place in my heart.”
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…
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John Wall says he wishes his mom could have been with him today. It’s been almost a year since she passed away 🙏🏾
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P.J. Tucker might never be an All-Star. He might never even be voted to an All-NBA defensive team. But Houston doesn’t experience successful small ball without him, and it’s high time we acknowledge that. theathletic.com/1629883/2020…
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The Houston Rockets will interview Ime Udoka for the franchise’s head coaching job on Wednesday, sources tell @TheAthletic. Udoka was suspended by the Boston Celtics prior to the 2022-23 season for violations of team policies.
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Whitmore says he doesn’t know where the reported medical concerns came from — “I feel fine, it’s my body.”
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James Harden on Coach Silas getting the game ball:
“We’re happy for him to get his first win. Now let’s see how many more we can get. “
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P.J. Tucker: Yea I’m short. But I’m strong. I’m gonna fight every play. I’ma fight until the end, no matter what
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Hahahahah @netw3rk was right 😂😂😂😂😂. Steve Javie described the play and stalled until the official made the call then agreed with it
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The Houston Rockets are close to hiring Tiago Splitter as an assistant under Ime Udoka, sources tell @TheAthletic. Splitter previously worked with Udoka in Brooklyn.
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James Harden says Scott Foster is rude and arrogant. Says he shouldn’t be allowed to referee their games anymore, believing it’s a personal thing now.
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Former NBA guard D.J. Augustin is joining the Houston Rockets in a front office capacity, sources tell @TheAthletic. The 37-year-old, who played for Houston in 2021, spent 14 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 2024.
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The Houston Rockets are shutting second-year forward Cam Whitmore down for the remainder of summer league, sources tell @TheAthletic. No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard will continue to play in Vegas.
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Incredibly thankful to everyone who made this possible. Let’s get to work 🫡
Kelly Iko is joining Yahoo Sports as a National NBA reporter! 🏀
@KellyIko has covered the NBA since 2016, including the last seven years at The Athletic. He also had previous stops at USA Today and SB Nation.
At Yahoo Sports, Kelly will cover the league at a national level, contributing written coverage and appearing on a range of Yahoo Sports shows.
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Ime Udoka interrupted the start of Reed Sheppard’s postgame presser to give him a big embrace, before apologizing to the media 😂
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Jabari Smith Jr. says he’s already seeing the impact his voice can have on the team’s defense.
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Rockets third-year wing Cam Whitmore has been the subject of a number of trade discussions in recent days, sources tell @TheAthletic. Situation is best described as fluid right now.
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Ime Udoka cracked a rare smile when I asked about the number of scuffles Houston has been involved in this season.
“Not a bad thing to have chippy games. I don’t mind that part of it at all. If a guy takes a hit, teammates gotta stand up for each other.”
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The 76ers have officially tendered an $8.7 million qualifying offer to guard Quentin Grimes, a league source told @TheAthletic. Both sides continue to discuss a new deal.
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Russell Westbrook will play in Game 5 on Saturday, according to multiple sources. Westbrook was ready and would have played in the originally scheduled game on Wednesday, prior to the walkout.
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From a defensive standpoint, Amen-Tari-DFS-KD-Jabari is a frightening small ball lineup. Rockets are really going for it.
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Forgot this was in my phone 😂 Here’s a shooting competition between @idropcoldbucks and @tysonchandler
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Jalen Green —
"We’re not gonna take disrespect. Ever. No matter who it is. And we’re always going to have each other’s back, those are my brothers. We need each other at the end of the day and we’re gonna rock with each other at the end of the day."
Jabari Smith Jr. on the 3rd quarter incident with Dejounte Murray:
“It was some disrespect that needed some straightening.”
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Will there be a SengunShake™️ soon? 👀👀
More from Houston’s rookie, exclusively on @TheAthletic: theathletic.com/3019404/2021…
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