Rockets' Bruce Thornton: Struggles with shot in SL loss
Rotowire
Thornton recorded eight points (2-12 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Saturday's 101-90 Summer League loss to the Grizzlies.
Thornton didn't have the most efficient night from the field, but he contributed in other ways, leading the Rockets in assists while co-leading the team in rebounds with Isaiah Crawford. Thornton was the No. 31 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, and his main competition for backup guard minutes off the bench will likely come from Marcus Smart and Reed Sheppard.
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Rockets' Bruce Thornton: Drops 23 points in SL win
Rotowire
Thornton tallied 23 points (7-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT), four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 33 minutes during Thursday's 100-83 Summer League victory over Brooklyn.
Thornton led the way for the Rockets in the scoring column and was one of three starters to rack up two or more steals. He's now scored in double figures in four straight Summer League showings, and while he's certainly not a lock to carve out a spot in the rotation at this point, he's on track to enter training camp with some momentum given his recent strong play.
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Rockets' Bruce Thornton: Another quality performance Tuesday
Rotowire
Thornton finished with 18 points (5-9 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-5 FT), two rebounds, four assists and two steals across 26 minutes in Tuesday's 90-64 Summer League victory over the 76ers.
Thornton had another quality performance Tuesday, reaching the double-digit scoring mark in his third consecutive Las Vegas Summer League appearance. He also had two steals, bringing his total to 10 during that span. The 22-year-old was drafted in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft after spending his collegiate career at Ohio State. While Thornton has shown signs of promise, he may need more time before he's ready for consistent action at the professional level.
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Rockets' Bruce Thornton: Positive contributor in SL loss
Rotowire
Thornton tallied 17 points (6-17 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, six assists and five steals over 32 minutes in Saturday's 102-89 Summer League loss to the Raptors.
Thornton wasn't remarkably efficient from the field, but he buried a trio of triples and finished as the Rockets' second-leading scorer. The 22-year-old also contributed in other facets, leading his team in rebounds and assists while tallying a game-high five steals. After a memorable college career at Ohio State, the 2026 second-round pick will look to carve out a reserve role in Houston's backcourt.
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Rockets' Bruce Thornton: Strikes for 27 points in SL win
Rotowire
Thornton tallied 27 points (7-18 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 7-7 FT), three rebounds, three assists and three steals across 35 minutes in Friday's 97-86 Summer League win over the Nuggets.
Thornton was aggressive hunting his shot and got to the charity stripe often in the Rockets' Summer League debut, finishing with a game-high 27 points. The Ohio State product also matched the game-high mark in steals. The 31st overall pick in this year's draft has a chance to carve out a role off the bench, but he isn't guaranteed consistent minutes following the signing of Marcus Smart.
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Rockets' Bruce Thornton: Selected by Houston after trade-up
Rotowire
The Knicks selected Thornton with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and traded his rights to the Rockets, Jeff Goodman of Fieldof68.com reports.
After a four-year stint at Ohio State, the Buckeyes' all-time leading scorer will join the Rockets, who acquired the Nos. 31 and 55 picks in this year's draft in exchange for the Nos. 39 and 53 picks and a 2029 second-rounder. Thornton impressed in his final college season, averaging 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals while recording 55.4/40.0/82.9 shooting splits in 36.5 minutes per contest. He's a strong lead guard who will likely compete for backup minutes, especially if Aaron Holiday leaves in free agency.
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