The Houston Rockets (16-53) clinched the NBA’s worst record of the 2020-21 season with Monday’s 140-129 loss (box score) in Portland. The Trail Blazers (40-29) blitzed the visitors with 50 points in the first quarter, including an incredible 12-of-16 showing on 3-pointers (75.0%), and the game was never especially close thereafter.
For Houston, it’s the first time they’ve had the league’s worst record since going 14-68 in the 1982-83 season. That launched a run of consecutive No. 1 picks in the NBA draft for the Rockets, who selected Hall of Famers Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon in 1983 and 1984.
Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 34 points and 9 rebounds, while Kelly Olynyk (21 points, 8 rebounds), DJ Augustin (21 points), Khyri Thomas (18 points, 5 assists) and Armoni Brooks (18 points, 6-of-9 on 3-pointers) were among the standouts for Houston. Both the Rockets and Blazers hit 18 shots from 3-point range, which led to the high scoring totals.
As usual, the Rockets were quite short-handed, with marquee injury absences including Christian Wood (right ankle), John Wall (right hamstring), Eric Gordon (right groin), and Kevin Porter Jr. (left ankle).
Houston completes its four-game road trip on Wednesday night against the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, with tipoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Central. For now, here’s a selection of highlights, analysis, and postgame reaction from Monday’s loss to Portland.
Per @bull50 Armoni Brooks with 46 made threes in his first 17 games is a new NBA record, passing Damian Lillard (43 makes in 17 games).
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 11, 2021
Blazers 140, Rockets 129. Lillard with 28 of his 34 in second half. Powell and McCollum with 28. Olynyk and Augustin with 21 apiece, with Thomas and Brooks each adding 18. Rockets 16-53 with three games left, will finish with NBA's worst record.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 11, 2021
Danuel House Jr. played just 2:20 of the second half. Stephen Silas said he "tweaked" his right ankle, the injury that has given him so much trouble for the past month.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 11, 2021
.@Khyri_2 tonight: 18 points https://t.co/wcTba9AiKL
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 11, 2021
#Rockets were down 17 after 1Q, down 16 at the half, cut it to 5 w/ 9:13 left & lost by 11. Stephen Silas: “Definitely discouraging..We fight so hard to get back, but you almost have to be perfect down the stretch..I’m super proud of our team..but we got to try harder on defense” pic.twitter.com/o1K0N7XY7n
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 11, 2021
#Rockets Lottery odds:
Top 4 pick: 52.1%
1st pick: 14.0%
2nd pick: 13.4%
3rd pick: 12.7%
4th pick: 12.0%
5th pick: 47.9% (would go to OKC) https://t.co/r03umNfF83— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) May 11, 2021
