Bruce Thornton had a very good Summer League debut for the Houston Rockets on Friday, leading his team to a 97-86 win over the Denver Nuggets.
Thornton recorded a game-high 27 points (the most points ever from a Rockets rookie in their Summer League debut), three rebounds, three assists, three steals and only had one turnover in a game-high 35 minutes. He shot 7-of-18 from the field (3-of-8 from beyond the arc) and made all seven of his free-throw attempts.
Bruce being Bruce
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) July 11, 2026
Summer league debut:
27 points
3 assists
3 rebounds
3 steals #GoBucks | #DevelopedHere pic.twitter.com/DbHvJ7bO9W
"I can compete, I can hoop. Even though I'm undersized, I give it everything I got," Thornton said after the game. "It's just a blessing to be in this position, and I'm so glad to be a Houston Rocket."
Bruce Thornton after scoring 27 points in his Summer League debut: "It's just a blessing to be in this position and I'm so glad to be a Houston Rocket." https://t.co/lqFn3grXDi pic.twitter.com/SEvNEYlJmh
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 11, 2026
After Rockets assistant coach Will Dunn, who serves as the head coach of the summer league squad, praised Thornton earlier this week, Houston general manager Rafael Stone had nothing but positive things to say about the former Buckeye during the broadcast of Friday's game.
"He has a unique build, which I actually like. His physicality is really interesting, and his shot-making is kind of crazy. He takes care of the ball," Stone said.
Thornton was the 31st pick (first pick of the second round) by the Rockets in June and signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal with Houston, with only his first season being guaranteed for the NBA’s minimum rookie salary of $1.4 million
