When fans and media members reflect on the Houston Rockets' 139-130 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center on Wednesday, they'll remember the big shots taken by rising star Jalen Green at the end of regulation and at the start of the overtime period . ,
Many would also bring up the stability and flexibility of rookie center Alpern Sengun, who started his seventh career and was far more skilled than LeBron James. Sengun scored a career-high 21 points and hit a big 3-pointer late in overtime to help upset Houston.
But for average fans, who may have only tuned in late, they may have missed out on a crucial production by rookie guard Josh Christopher, who was instrumental in keeping the Rockets within striking distance.
Houston's "unsung hero," if you will, kept the Rockets in the game by scoring 12 points in the second quarter and pulling down 5 rebounds. Representing Christopher's most points in the game since his loss at San Antonio in early February, he scored 21 points overall, shooting 71% from the field - where he scored a career-high 23 points.
After amassing just 18 points in a combined four matches starting in March, Christopher has picked up the pace in his last two games, averaging 18.5 points per game. The scoring increase can be attributed to the fact that his role as the primary ball-handler for the second unit has diminished with the return of veteran point guard Dennis Schröder.
The Rockets will evaluate Christopher's best performance in the last 16 games to see how he can better use his skills next season.