James Harden scores 24 points in 25 minutes of first scrimmage

The Rockets knocked off some rust, had some good moments and then faded in the fourth quarter in their first summer scrimmage of the NBA’s restart season.

None of that, however, or the 94-83 loss to the Toronto Raptors, mattered as much as how they managed their most important parts of the night.

James Harden and Russell Westbrook, their MVP backcourt and greatest sources of hope for their season, showed few signs of their delayed arrivals to the NBA campus.

That was especially important, and clear for Westbrook, just days after he was permitted out of his Disney campus hotel room.

For all the preseason — or in this case scrimmage season — objectives that largely amount to staying healthy and getting closer to game shape, the Rockets, just three days after Westbrook was cleared to leave the campus quarantine, and with just two practices, he played 16 minutes and looked as if he had never been away.

From the game-high nine rebounds he pulled down to the coast-to-coast rush he finished above the rim late in the first half, Westbrook did not seem to be playing catch-up.

With “seeding” games beginning next Friday, there will not be many opportunities to make up for lost time. But like everything else he does, Westbrook seemed to be doing that at full speed.

D’Antoni had said before Friday’s scrimmage that Westbrook had “looked good.” But he also acknowledged, “we’re a little bit behind.”

Harden was through after three quarters, scoring 24 points with 10 assists in 25 minutes, finishing with a rush to give the Rockets a one-point lead when he took a seat. He made just 6 of 15 shots, missing some of the drives that are normally automatic. But that was not much of a concern given the long layoff and the time before the Aug. 17 start of the postseason.

When he sat, with Westbrook out and Austin Rivers unavailable, the Rockets’ offense came apart to start the fourth quarter as the Raptors’ reserves pulled away.

Eric Gordon was the only Rockets starter to play in the fourth quarter but never got untracked. Gordon made 4 of 11 shots for 11 points in 26 minutes. He started to allow extended minutes, but D’Antoni indicated that could be the plan going forward.

“Our lineup is better with Russell and James, Eric, P.J. (Tucker) and (Robert) Covington,” D’Antoni said. “It may change. We’ll see. Danuel (House Jr.) is really good off the bench. I’m going to keep looking at it, evaluating. But I’m going to do what’s best for Eric. He’s key for us.”

House made 6 of 10 shots for 16 points. But once the starters were out, there was not enough shooting for the Rockets and their customary reliance on 3s as they sank just 14 of 48 (29.2 percent.)

There were some signs of what the Rockets had worked on since the summer training camp began amid the obvious rustiness.

D’Antoni had often said the emphasis has been on playing faster, with quick decision-making and more drive-and-kick 3s. The pace was not where he will want it, but with relatively little iso possessions, the Rockets’ ball movement was relatively crisp for an initial exhibition.

The Rockets were better at getting good looks than making them. That could be considered encouraging, but not as much as having their stars looking not far off from ready for when the games count.

jonathan.feigen@chron.com

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