The Houston Rockets selected Bruce Thornton with the No. 31 pick during Day 2 of the 2026 NBA Draft, addressing a pressing need for guard support. Known for his scoring abilities, Thornton made a name for himself at Ohio State, where he showcased his talent by scoring 2,164 career points with impressive efficiency. In his senior season, Thornton averaged nearly 20 points per game, shooting 55% from the field and 40% from three-point range.
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In a preseason matchup against the Mavericks on Friday in China, Thornton demonstrated his potential, scoring 13 points in just nine minutes off the bench. His performance included shooting 4-for-6 overall, 3-for-3 from three-point range, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, along with two rebounds, two assists, and one block.
As the Rockets aim to utilize Thornton's scoring prowess, he is expected to be a key contributor off the bench. The team's core is bolstered by the return of Fred VanVleet from injury, and they anticipate that players like Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Reed Sheppard can handle play-making responsibilities. However, Thornton's ability to consistently shoot from beyond the arc could be a significant advantage for Houston, which struggled with three-point shooting volume and percentage last season.
The Rockets secured a 135-117 victory over the Mavericks, with seven players scoring in double figures, and Thornton was one of the standout bench performers, trailing only Tari Eason and Sheppard. The team will face the Mavericks again on Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Venetian Arena in Macao, China, where Thornton is expected to see further playing time as the Rockets evaluate his fit with the core players.