Tari Eason

Talented enough to impact the opening game of Houston’s home-and-home set against Portland in nearly any manner possible, Tari Eason ultimately settled on something creative: a quick trip to Europe. In the right place at the right time after his generationally-gifted teammate’s block, Eason prepares a highlight sequence for the “Terror Twins,” speeding out in transition with a pair of white jerseys impeding his path. Unlikely to be able to go either left, or through Toumani Camara’s frame, Eason eases into a nifty Eurostep gather, unlocking his path to an athletic fastbreak jam. Endorsing both his own early-season Sixth Man of the Year candidacy and guiding the Houston Rockets to a 2-0 record in Group A play at once, Eason was among the game’s top-shelf standouts. Eason’s final contributions included 22 points (in 22 minutes, on 8-of-14 shooting), alongside two rebounds, two assists, two steals, one 3-pointer, and a +33 plus-minus against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 22, 2024.