For the second time in less than two weeks, the Houston Rockets were blown out in Oklahoma City by a Thunder team that was viewed as a rebuilding rival entering the 2022-23 season.
This time, the game’s result — a 133-96 win (box score) for the host Thunder — wasn’t even the low point for the Rockets.
On top of Houston (13-45) maintaining its spot in the NBA’s cellar with a seventh straight loss, the Rockets lost their leading scorer when prized prospect Jalen Green left in the second quarter with a left groin strain. The injury will likely take Green, 21, out of Saturday’s Rising Stars challenge at All-Star weekend, and his status once the Rockets resume action next week is clearly in question.
Green had 14 points and 2 assists in 16 minutes prior to the injury. In postgame comments, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said he had no further update beyond the team’s immediate disclosure, adding that Green would likely undergo an MRI on Thursday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City (28-29) with 29 points (50% FG) and 6 assists in only 29 minutes, thanks to the blowout.
Rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 29 minutes on 4-of-8 shooting (50%), including a matching 2-of-4 clip from 3-point range.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston, after a week-plus break surrounding the NBA’s 2023 All-Star weekend, is next Friday’s game at Golden State.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Looked like Jalen Green pulled a left groin muscle on a move near midcourt by OKC guard Josh Giddey. He took a foul to get out of the game, went to the locker room right away.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 16, 2023
Jalen Green suffers a leg injury of some sort and has to go to the locker room in OKC. pic.twitter.com/kTIXvvS3n4
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 16, 2023
Official word on Jalen Green is a groin strain, per @SportsVanessa. #Rockets
— B.Scott (@brandonkscott) February 16, 2023
Frank Kaminsky and Darius Days are already in. Here comes Trevor Hudgins. Only a matter of time before we see Boban, probably.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 16, 2023
Stephen Silas on what he wants his #Rockets players to experience during @NBA All-Star Weekend@HoustonRockets #NBAAllStar Rising Stars Game & Dunk Contest pic.twitter.com/mbxXgYmztr
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) February 16, 2023
They've officially stopped playing through Alperen Sengun. Just inexcusable stuff.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 16, 2023
It feels like Stephen Silas is admitting that he can’t motivate these players and they’re just going to let the season play out anyway. I’m the last guy to say “fire the coach” now for the sake of change, but seems desirable!
— Mike Mitchell (@MikeMitchNH) February 16, 2023
“We appreciate the viewers still with us here at this point.” – a dejected @ca_rockets who unfortunately has to live every second of this embarrassment
— B.Scott (@brandonkscott) February 16, 2023
Don’t want to pile on, but man, the Houston Rockets are the biggest bummer in the league right now…
Fans need some type of galvanizing moment or a Jabari breakthrough or SOMETHING soon because a rebuild should at the very least sell hope and they barely even have that right now
— NBA University (@NBA_University) February 16, 2023
I will never understand how the Thunder lost to this Rockets team twice this season
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) February 16, 2023
Tonight has been uh… https://t.co/iNBlkubxnh pic.twitter.com/6tYZJTvHZ6
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 16, 2023
The most entertaining thing about the #Rockets lately is seeing how many points Boban can get in get in garbage time.
— Ross Villarreal (@SportsRV) February 16, 2023
There are 24 games left in the season. The #Rockets have to decide if these games matter for the development of these young players or if they just want to get to the finish line and make changes at draft/free agency.
If they matter, they need to act.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 16, 2023
Boban doesn’t deserve this.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 16, 2023
After OKC lost in Houston by six two weeks ago, they responded by beating the Rockets 153-121, then 133-96.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) February 16, 2023
Sometimes you can lose focus the game before the All-Star break. Didn't happen for the Thunder, beating Houston 133-96 and leading by as many as 42.
– SGA: 29 + 6 asts
– Dort: 15-3-3
– Jalen Williams: 13
– Giddey: 13 + 6 asts
– Saric: 12 + 5 reb
– Jaylin Williams: 8 + 16 reb— Royce Young (@royceyoung) February 16, 2023
Thunder 133, Rockets 96. Rockets reach the All-Star break at 13-45, with a seven-game losing streak. Jalen Green limped off with a groin injury. Jae'Sean seemed to turn an ankle, left, returned and left again.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 16, 2023
#Rockets have given up 286 points in their past two games at Oklahoma City. Oh my.
— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) February 16, 2023
No update on Jalen Green. He'll probably get an MRI tomorrow.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 16, 2023
Stephen Silas said he's going to take some time over the All-Star break to evaluate what the next 24 games look like with potentially different rotations and schemes. pic.twitter.com/3MgEBUt12z
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 16, 2023
Rockets are 2-34 without Eric Gordon the last two seasons
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 16, 2023
#Rockets head into the All-Star Break with a loss to OKC
Stephen Silas talked the game and what he wants to see after the break pic.twitter.com/9sLl0ukw0Y
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) February 16, 2023
Jae’Sean Tate had his right foot in an ice bath postgame but said his ankle is fine
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 16, 2023
