The young Houston Rockets lost two of their best players (Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr.) to injury early in Wednesday’s game at Oklahoma City and trailed by double digits with under 8:00 left to play.
Led by a career game from second-year forward Jae’Sean Tate, the Rockets (5-16) somehow found a way to win, anyway, extending their winning streak to four games and counting. The gritty left-hander known best for his defensive contributions finished with an astonishing 32 points (11-of-15 shooting, 73.3%), 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocked shots, sparking Houston to a 114-110 come-from-behind victory (box score).
Other statistical standouts from Wednesday’s game included Garrison Mathews (14 points, 4-of-7 on 3-pointers); Armoni Brooks (18 points, 4-of-7 on 3-pointers); and KJ Martin (12 points, 6-of-8 shooting). Veteran big man Daniel Theis, who hadn’t played at all in the previous three games after Houston’s shift to a smaller lineup with Wood at center, came in after Wood’s injury and was ready for the opportunity, grabbing 9 rebounds in 21 minutes. The Rockets were +12 with Theis on the floor.
Houston scored 41 in the fourth quarter to blow past the Thunder (6-15), who were led by 39 points from rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said postgame that he did not yet have an update on the status of Wood (right ankle sprain) or Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh contusion), though he noted that Wood was in a walking boot. The Rockets return to action on Friday at Toyota Center, where they will kick off a four-game homestand versus Orlando (5-18). For now, enjoy highlights and postgame reaction from Wednesday’s rally.
