Updated July 17, 2026, 8:59 a.m. CT
Led by another strong showing from rookie guard Bruce Thornton, the Houston Rockets defeated the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, 100-83 (box score).
With the win, Houston improved to 3-1 in Las Vegas (standings) while clinching a spot in the NBA’s four-team playoff field for its 2026 summer league.
Key statistics of note included:
Bruce Thornton: 23 points (game-high), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)Tristen Newton: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)Egor Dëmin (Nets): 21 points, 3 assists, 2 steals; 8-of-20 shooting (40.0%), 5-of-16 on 3-pointers (31.3%)
Next up for the Rockets is a berth in one of Saturday’s two semifinals, and the two winners will then meet in Sunday’s championship game.
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The four-team playoff bracket is as follows:
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers (4-0, +17.5 point differential) vs. No. 4 Golden State Warriors (3-1, +6.3); 7:30 p.m. Central tipoffNo. 2 Memphis Grizzlies (3-1, +11.5) vs. No. 3 Houston Rockets (3-1, +10.3); 5:30 p.m. Central tipoff
Numerous teams finished tied at 3-1, but Houston’s +10.3 differential was the second-best for tiebreaker purposes.
Saturday’s semifinals will be televised and streamed to a national audience via Prime Video, while Sunday’s championship will be aired via ESPN at 8:00 p.m. Central.
For the Houston region, live simulcasts are available via Space City Home Network (SCHN).
More: Rockets sign rookie guard Bruce Thornton for up to four years, $9.3 million
