The struggling Houston Rockets are widely expected to make moves before Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline for the 2020-21 season, with Victor Oladipo and perhaps others expected to head elsewhere.
Wednesday’s home game versus Charlotte did little to change that view. Two nights after an uplifting, streak-busting victory versus Toronto, the Rockets were crushed at Toyota Center by the visiting Hornets, 122-97 (box score). At 12-31, the Rockets enter the deadline with the NBA’s second-worst record and with 21 losses in their last 22 games.
John Wall led the Rockets with 20 points and 7 assists in 29 minutes. Christian Wood had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes, but he shot just 4-of-14 from the field (28.6%). With the deadline looming, Oladipo did not play due to personal reasons.
Charlotte’s starting backcourt of Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham combined for 46 points on superb efficiency, shooting 16-of-24 overall (66.7%) and 10-of-17 on 3-pointers (58.8%). With the win, the Hornets (22-21) — now without rookie sensation LaMelo Ball (wrist) — moved into a tie for the No. 4 spot in the tightly packed Eastern Conference.
Thursday’s trade deadline os at 2 p.m. Central, which means that the Houston roster could look quite different when the team resumes play on Friday and Saturday night in Minnesota. For now, here’s highlights and postgame reaction from the home locker room at Toyota Center.
Rockets lose by 25. They have lost 21-of-22 games. This one was particularly gross. Trade deadline is in less than 17 hours, let's who makes the trip to Minneapolis for the back-to-back
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 25, 2021
Stephen Silas on what happened during this timeout: "NBA stuff. Just frustration. I'll just leave it at that." https://t.co/zwOJToML4N
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) March 25, 2021
Stephen Silas asked about John Wall coming out early in the second half and what happened during the time out prior to that: “NBA stuff, frustration. I’ll just leave it at that.” pic.twitter.com/GBBI7yzMzo
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 25, 2021
