NBA Rookies: Scoot Henderson and Dereck Lively Highlight Top Friday Matchups

While some rookies got off to blisteringly hot starts, others have needed more time to get comfortable in the ever-difficult NBA.

Tonight's games features a variety of rookie performances and matchups that should run the gamut. Here are some of the top rookie matchups to watch in tonight's NBA slate:

Chet Holmgren Follows Up Against Warriors

When Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren last played the Warriors, he saw what was likely the best game of his young NBA career. He poured on 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and blocks apiece, but most importantly hit a turnaround 3-pointer with time expiring to push the game to overtime.

Tonight, Holmgren will look to replicate his earlier success after a stretch of inefficient games from beyond the arc.

For now, he still has a stranglehold on the NBA Rookie of the Year’s top spot. And a good matchup against Draymond Green, Kevon Looney and more would certainly help that.

Scoot Henderson Versus Dereck Lively II

While Scoot Henderson and Dereck Lively II aren’t likely to match up on-court too often give their polarizing position , the two are some of the more exciting rookies this year for very different reasons.

Henderson, selected No. 3 overall, got off to an extremely slow start. Then suffered a minor injury that sidelined him for a handful of games. In six games following injury, though, he’s shown some signs of comfortability. And the Mavericks offensive-minded backcourt should give him some opportunity to show more.

Lively has been a different story, jumping out to a hot start behind his defensive anticipation and length-driven, rim-running offense.

In 18 games, Lively has averaged 8.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while playing in just 25.1 minutes per game.

While there will be little one-on-one action between the two, tonight’s game should be a good look at two of 2023’s lottery picks.

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