HOUSTON — The Rockets (8-6) have now won eight consecutive home games — and two in impressive fashion over the defending NBA champions — after Friday’s 105-86 win (box score) over the Nuggets (10-6). Denver also lost at Toyota Center on Nov. 12.
Beyond the 2023-24 regular season standings, Friday’s matchup counts toward the NBA’s 2023-24 in-season tournament, as well. The Nuggets (2-2) and Rockets (2-1) are both competing in Western Conference Group B, and Houston will have an opportunity to win the group outright and advance to the eight-team quarterfinal stage if they can secure a victory at Dallas (1-2) on Tuesday night.
Perennial All-Star and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic had with 38 points, 19 rebounds, and 8 assists, but Houston’s defense collectively limited Denver to just 34.0% shooting and 23.3% on 3-pointers.
Jalen Green led a balanced effort for the Rockets with 25 points and 3 steals, shooting 10-of-18 from the field (55.6%) and 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%). Other standout players included:
- Alperen Sengun: 21 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals; 8-of-19 shooting (42.1%), 5-of-6 on free throws (83.3%)
- Fred VanVleet: 17 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 16 points, 15 rebounds; 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews following Friday’s impressive game versus the Nuggets, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Tuesday’s road contest at Dallas (10-5), with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. Central.
Nov. 24 Rockets-Nuggets reaction
Eight straight home wins, two of them over the defending NBA champs. What a month. #Rockets https://t.co/eNkO3WjNE4
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 25, 2023
Watching the #Rockets young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. dominate and closeout the defending champion Nuggets together is such a coming of age moment.
This is awesome.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 25, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. since being benched for the final 6 minutes of a game: 14.8 ppg on 52.8% FG, 40.9% 3P, 90.0% FT, 8.8 rebounds (5 games)
Jalen Green since being benched for the fourth quarter of a game: 29.5 ppg on 52.3% FG, 87.5% FT, 1.5 steals (2 games) pic.twitter.com/1NbjBa3ieu
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 25, 2023
Ime Udoka on Jalen Green: "He's been better. He's been improved. He's understanding better how defenses are guarding him. … For the most part, much better than earlier in the season."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 25, 2023
Fred finds Jalen on the break for the alleyoop slam. Another strong showing tonight for Jalen Green. pic.twitter.com/3Lgq7MHyQI
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 25, 2023
FVV chucking those threes for the point differential had Malone heated walking off the floor.
Good stuff all around. Enjoyable Jalen game in person at TC tonight. He blew by most Nuggets defenders with ease. He’s just scratching the surface.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) November 25, 2023
Sengun tonight:
21 PTS
14 REB
8 AST3 straight wins against Jokic. https://t.co/TFCEe6nUbl
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 25, 2023
If we beat DAL on Tuesday, the #Rockets will win their Group and move on to the knockout stage! https://t.co/RuOfMNyFFX
— David Weiner #🟦 (@BimaThug) November 25, 2023
Jalen Green tonight:
25 PTS
6 REB
2 STL
10-18 FGRockets are undefeated when Green has a 25-point game. https://t.co/Go351XHb0D
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 25, 2023
These JG highlights hit like Thanksgiving leftovers 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/tCGTSGeiQJ
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 25, 2023
The #Rockets have held 8 of their last 9 opponents under 50 points at halftime and they’ve held 5 of their 14 opponents so far this season to 97 points or less. This defense has been unreal. They were 4th in the NBA before tonight and they might be ranked higher after this game.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 25, 2023
Thanksgiving is over but Alpi's still cooking 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NXZxYzO4GZ
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 25, 2023
Sengun played 43 minutes tonight and matched Nikola Jokic minute-for-minute. Big boy stuff right there.
Aaron Holiday was incredibly steady off the bench again.
Tari Eason continues to be a difference-maker when he gets minutes.
This team continues to put complete…
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 25, 2023
Wow! Fred VanVleet lob to Jalen Green.
pic.twitter.com/XVF4zDFooP— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) November 25, 2023
Last game Fred said Jalen let him hear it about not throwing the lob to him…I think VanVleet got the message that Green can go and get it…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 25, 2023
Immaculate vibes 🫶 pic.twitter.com/NXW3fqNOBJ
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 25, 2023
“We want to go to Vegas!”
😂🎲🚀 https://t.co/Zc9dMu8DfO— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) November 25, 2023
Glad Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith are starting to put it together as a front court duo.
Much like Jalen Green and Sengun, their games compliment each other perfectly in theory.
No reason they can’t thrive together. pic.twitter.com/Fvzf57ft3J
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 25, 2023
Rockets keep their Vegas dreams alive with an impressive 105-86 win over the defending champs. Houston’s defense continues to get it done.
Şengün 21/14/8
Jabari 16/14 (continues to impress)
VanVleet 17/6/11
Jalen 25/6/2 (processor looks better by the game)— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 25, 2023
FVV 🤝 JG pic.twitter.com/2Tga96RaZ1
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 25, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. on beating the Nuggets:
"Big boost. Defending champions, we know how good they are. We know how locked in we have to be on their actions and how they play as a whole, so it's a big plus that we can go in and execute and beat them."
📺 https://t.co/qJwFZ9ky5A pic.twitter.com/D75VYOAg1M
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 25, 2023
Ime Udoka: "They're a different team with Murray, so they're searching and everybody goes through that at some point during the season. We'll take it, and learn from it and grow, but it's another win against the defending champions."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 25, 2023
Jalen not only had a great offensive game but one of his better defensive games of the season with several deflections. I asked Coach Udoka what has been the biggest difference for Jalen on the defensive end
“Understanding that teams are going to go at him and taking that… pic.twitter.com/ftkFVBVFuS
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 25, 2023
I asked Alperen Sengun about his one legged Dirk mid range shot. If he watched any Dirk film. It has become a lethal part of his game
“It’s getting more dangerous” pic.twitter.com/IJgvyFfK2E— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 25, 2023
#Rockets beat the Nuggets 105-86 in @NBA In-Season Tournament Play
If the @HoustonRockets beat the Mavs Tuesday in Dallas, the Rockets win the West Group B and advance to the knockout rounds pic.twitter.com/KlZnFJuxV4
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 25, 2023
