Rockets Josh Christopher Plays The Role Of 'Unsung Hero' In Victory Over The Lakers

Brian Barefield | 3/9/2022, 11:22 p.m.
The average fan may have missed the play of rookie guard Josh Christoper. The “Unsung Hero” kept Houston in the …
Photo Credit/Troy Taormina/USA Today

When fans and media members reflect on the Houston Rockets 139-130 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at the Toyota Center, they will remember the big shots taken by rising superstar Jalen Green at the end of regulation and the beginning of the overtime period.

Or they may bring up the steadiness and resiliency of rookie center Alperen Sengun making his seventh start of the season being very efficient against LeBron James. Sengun scored a career-high 21 points and hit a big three-pointer in the overtime period to help the Rockets secure their 17th victory of the season.

The average fan may have missed the play of rookie guard Josh Christoper. The “Unsung Hero” kept Houston in the game by scoring 12 points and pulling down five rebounds in the second quarter shooting 71 percent from the field on his way to a 21-point night. It was the most points he has scored in a game since a loss to the San Antonio Spurs in early February, where he put up 23 points in a losing effort.

After starting the month of March, scoring a combined 18 points in four games, Christopher has picked up the pace in the last two by averaging 18.5 points. The scoring increase can be attributed to the fact that his role as a primary ball-handler for the second unit has decreased with the return of veteran point guard Dennis Schröder to the lineup.

The Rockets’ coaching staff will evaluate Christopher’s best role over the remaining 16 games to see how they can better utilize his skill set next season.

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