After signing with the Houston Rockets in free agency during the off-season, Jock Landale's role in the rotation has lacked consistency, with minutes hard to come by in a crowded frontcourt.
After receiving 19 DNPs and playing largely garbage time minutes, Landale's number has been called in recent weeks, following starting center Alperen Sengun's potential season-ending injury, stepping up to fill the void in the paint for the Rockets.
In the four games since Sengun's injury, Landale has been playing a season-high 22.3 minutes per game off the bench, averaging 10 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.3 blocks, with the Rockets now riding a six-game win streak.
On Wednesday (AEDT), Landale anchored his team's defence in a 137-114 road win over the Washington Wizards, recording a career-high seven blocks to go with 10 points and three rebounds.
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“It was great,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of Landale’s career night on defence.
“We acknowledged him in the locker room, about that. He was part of the unit that really got us going, from an energy standpoint. Meeting guys at the rim, making the right plays in there, and deterring shots, even if he didn’t block it.”
🚫 JOCK BLOCK PARTY 🚫
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) March 20, 2024
Landale recorded 7️⃣ blocks in the @HoustonRockets' 137-114 win over the Wizards! #Rockets
The Race to the Playoffs is on! ⛹
Watch every moment of it on NBA League Pass, now available at 50% OFF! 👉 https://t.co/bqmxfDHpTb pic.twitter.com/rhaXqvreIP
Landale became the first player in franchise history to record seven or more blocks in a single game since Dwight Howard in 2015, and tied Luc Longley for the second-most blocks by an Australian in a single game — two shy of Andrew Bogut's Aussie record of nine (2015).
"It has been tiring but fun," Landale said following the win.
"It is always good to get an opportunity to get out there with the boys to make a push toward the Play-In Tournament. I think we have gained some good traction. That's where my mind has been; having a lot of fun."
#Rockets beat the Wizards 137-114
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) March 20, 2024
Jock Landale 🏀10 PTS🏀7 BLKS (CAREER HIGH)
He spoke after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/rUGvYacMTi
The Rockets' newfound momentum has now launched them into the Play-In Tournament conversation, sitting just 2.5 games back of the Golden State Warriors in 10th.
MORE: Latest injury updates on Rockets star Alperen Sengun
With 14 games remaining, sneaking into the Play-In would mark a huge step in the right direction for Houston, coming off 22, 20 and 17-win seasons in their past three campaigns.
Per Tankathon, they have the 11th toughest schedule remaining, despite having a relatively light schedule during their six-game win streak, and an upcoming series of winnable games against the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers in their next three.
However, they still have some tough matchups on the horizon, with games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors before the season concludes.
Jock Landale stats
2023-24 season
- 3.3 points per game
- 0.8 assists per game
- 2.6 rebounds per game
- 0.3 steals per game
- 0.6 blocks per game
- 45.2 field goal percentage
- 20 3-point percentage
- 80.0 free throw percentage
Career
- 5.2 points per game
- 0.9 assists per game
- 3.2 rebounds per game
- 0.2 steals per game
- 0.4 blocks per game
- 50.5 field goal percentage
- 2.78 3-point percentage
- 77.9 free throw percentage
Jock Landale contract
Landale is in the first year of a four-year, $32 million deal he signed with the Rockets in free agency this past off-season.
Only the first year of his deal is fully guaranteed, with his 2024-25 number becoming guaranteed on June 29 if he is not waived.
The final year of his deal is a team option.
All figures via Spotrac
| Season | Salary |
| 2023-24 | $8,000,000 |
| 2024-25 | $8,000,000 |
| 2025-26 | $8,000,000 |
| 2026-27 | $8,000,000 (team option) |
| 2027 | Unrestricted free agent |
