“We had to get back to being dogs defensively, and I knew I could come out there and set the tone,” Tari Eason said after earning a starting role for the Rockets (18-10) versus the Lakers.
Kings go with Zipper action for DeMar DeRozan, Rockets switch. DeMar drives, looks like the defense either overhelps or is thinking shot and Schroder is open for 3. pic.twitter.com/NlhyiFVndm
— Steve Jones (@stevejones20) December 22, 2025
LOS ANGELES — Earlier this week, the Houston Rockets hit what felt like rock bottom when they lost in overtime to the Sacramento Kings, a team with fewer than 10 wins this season and one that was on a five-game losing streak at the time.
It was particularly bad for forward Tari Eason, who was made the scapegoat after he left his defensive assignment versus Kings guard Dennis Schroeder, who hit the winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
Eason moved towards the basket when DeMar DeRozan drove to the rim, and DeRozan subsequently found Schroeder alone in the corner. After the game, Eason took full responsibility for the lack of judgment.
“We should have won,” Eason said. “That’s just really on me. I don’t think they win the game if I just stay out there on the 3-point line.”
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka agreed that Eason should have stayed with Schroeder, but didn’t chastise his young player for his aggressiveness in trying to make a play.
In the NBA, those types of situations can be important learning experiences, especially when the team is facing two more road games over its ensuing four days.
Later in the week, what Udoka did on Christmas Day in Los Angeles is what he has done since the Rockets hired him in 2023 — namely, continuing to instill confidence in his players.
After the Sacramento debacle, Udoka proved to Eason that he still believes in him by inserting him into Thursday’s starting lineup versus the Lakers. In that capacity, Eason replaced Josh Okogie, who has started most of this season’s games in place of injured guard Fred VanVleet.
Eason gave the Rockets an instant spark with seven first-quarter points and 13 for the game, as Houston (18-10) cruised to a 119-96 victory over the Lakers (19-10). With four steals, Eason’s defensive presence gave Lakers stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic trouble throughout the game, as he used his 6-foot-8-inch frame to constantly harass them.
“It was a blessing,” Eason said postgame. “Ime finally trusted me to go out there. I just had to do what I do best. We had to get back to kind of being dogs defensively, and I knew I could come out there and set the tone.”
Prior to this week, Eason had missed over a month of action due to the oblique strain that he suffered in mid-November. He was scheduled to return a bit sooner, but he encountered some lower-leg soreness as part of his ramp-up protocol.
Since returning on Sunday, Eason has been on a minutes restriction, which — according to Udoka — is currently set at 25 minutes. He played 26 on Christmas and was a little winded during the game, which teammate Kevin Durant joked about after praising Eason for the energy he brought to the starting lineup.
“He just changed the whole vibe,” Durant said. “Insane defender who can guard one through five, great hands, can shoot it, and making plays. The one thing I told him was that he has to get used to those starter minutes. His lungs, he didn’t have no air in them lungs a couple of times. But he is going to get used to starting, and we are going to need for him to have big games going forward.”
“He just changed the whole vibe,” said Durant about Tari Eason starting. “Insane defender who can guard one through five, great hands, can shoot it, and making plays.” Durant joked at the end about what he told Eason about those starter minutes. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/Pqr4iRlZ2U
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) December 26, 2025
When asked if he wants to continue to be a starter moving forward, Eason answered without hesitation.
“Yes, yes, I do,” Eason said with confidence.
Now 24 years old and in his fourth NBA season, Eason is currently shooting a career-high 48.5% on 3-pointers. So, in addition to his strong defense and transition play, that level of shooting should better space the floor in halfcourt situations for teammates such as Amen Thompson — who dominated on Christmas night.
Should that continue, and if Eason ignites the Rockets and consistently sets the tone the way he did against the Lakers, Udoka will have little choice but to give him more starts.