Prior to spraining his right ankle late in Houston’s victory last Thursday over Sacramento, superstar Rockets guard James Harden had averaged 37.0 points per game on 52.5% shooting from the field.
Since returning after a one-game absence, though, Harden’s scoring average has dropped by more than half to 18 points per game. Over those two games, he made just 10-of-31 shots (32.3%), and 4-of-16 from 3-point range (25.0%). Not surprisingly, the Rockets (2-4) lost both games.
With 15 points (35.7%) in Wednesday’s 114-107 loss (box score) at Indiana, Harden registered his lowest point total in a single game since February 6, 2020. Harden did provide value as a facilitator, dishing out 12 assists on Wednesday after giving out 10 in Monday’s loss to Dallas.
But for a Houston squad missing rising star Christian Wood (sore left knee), they needed a scoring punch from their perennial All-Star and MVP finalist that never came. Fellow guards John Wall (28 points, 60.0% FG) and Eric Gordon (20 points, 46.7% FG) led the Rockets in scoring and were efficient in doing so, but it wasn’t quite enough versus a strong opponent on the road. DeMarcus Cousins started for Wood and had an impressive 14 rebounds and four blocked shots, but he missed 7-of-9 shots.
The Pacers (6-2) were led by 35 points and seven assists from Malcolm Brogdon, while star big man Domantas Sabonis added 22 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Holiday and Victor Oladipo scored 20 and 18, respectively. See below for a sampling of the postgame reaction.
