In both teams’ preseason finale on Thursday, Rockets fourth-year players Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun led the way in a 129-107 loss (box score) at home to Stephon Castle and the undermanned Spurs. Houston finished 3-1 while San Antonio finished 1-3.

Green scored 30 points in 27 minutes at his home NBA arena, the Toyota Center, shooting 8 of 16 (50.0%) overall, 7 of 13 from 3-point range (53.8%) and 7 from 8 on free throws (87.5%). Sengun scored 21 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes and shot 9 of 12 from the field (75.0%).

For Green and Sengun, it was their last chance to make an impact before Monday’s contract extension deadline for 2021 first-round NBA draft picks, and they undoubtedly left a positive impression on head coach Ime Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone.

The Rockets played with most of their expected rotation players, albeit for limited minutes, while San Antonio opted to leave out some prominent names entirely, led by Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul, for a break. In their absence, rookie guard Stephon Castle – who was drafted No. 4 overall in the first round of 2024 – took advantage of an expanded role and impressed with 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 24 minutes.

Houston opens its 2024-25 regular season next Wednesday, Oct. 23, at home against Charlotte, while San Antonio begins Thursday, Oct. 24 at Dallas.

The Rockets had a 41-41 record last season while the Spurs had a 22-60 record. Both remain among the younger teams in the Western Conference, although both clearly appear to be on an upward trajectory in the coming years.

More: ESPN’s Bobby Marks suggests sub-max extensions for Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green in Houston

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun shine in preseason as Rockets crush Spurs