(Updated 1/26/15 7 a.m. Pacific)
The Los Angeles Lakers’ Jeremy Lin came in with four minutes left in the first quarter Sunday night against the Houston Rokcets, breaking nearly five consecutive quarters of not playing (photo by Derral Chen).
Lin played 28 minutes and managed team high 6 assists and 14 points. He was the second highest scorer on the team behind Carlos Boozer’s 18 points. The Lakers went down in defeat 99 -87 to the Houston Rockets.
Rookie Jordan Clarkson got the start over both Lin and Ronnie Price, who played just seven minutes.
Clarkson who is Filipino American had eight points and two assists in 28 minutes of play.
Prior to the game, Lin told Serena Winters of Lakers Nation “I don’t think anybody would feel great after a DNP (did not play) in the NBA, no matter who you are.”
His benching raised quite a few eyebrows and raised speculation the Lakers were tanking games. The Lakers would lose their 2015 first round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns if that pick dropped to sixth or lower due to the trade for Steve Nash.
Lin spoke to the media after the game.
“I’m thankful I played tonight,” he said. “Definitely a DNP will kind of change your perspective on things. I just tried to play my heart out.”
He also talked about his confidence. You can watch his post game interview on LakersNation.