After leading for much of the first half, the game quickly spiraled for the Rockets in Thursday’s second half at San Antonio — punctuated by an epic poster dunk from Alperen Sengun that somehow didn’t count. The Spurs won, 118-109, (box score) to snap their 11-game losing streak.
Houston (7-18) fell somewhat back to Earth after having won two of its previous three games and four of its last seven. Ultimately, it was a battle of rebuilding teams who should each pick high in the first-round order of the 2023 NBA draft, pending lottery results.
Rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. continued his strong run with a career-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%), including 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%). Unfortunately, it was offset by a poor shooting night from Houston’s starting backcourt. Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. combining to make just 10-of-33 shots (30.3%).
Big man Alperen Sengun had 16 points (47.1% FG) and 11 rebounds for the Rockets in 29 minutes, but he also had three turnovers, including one on the controversial dunk that didn’t count.
The Spurs (7-18) were led by third-year forward Keldon Johnson, who had 31 points and 7 rebounds while shooting an impressive 14-of-20 from the field (70%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%). As a team, the Spurs made 55.4% of their shots overall, 36.1% on 3-pointers, and 86.7% on free throws — well ahead of Houston in all of those categories.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews from San Antonio. The Rockets return to action Sunday against Milwaukee for the start of a season-long seven-game homestand. The tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central from Toyota Center.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Camera operator who came into the room afterwards said it was Tari Eason. https://t.co/DXs4VJhLnd
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 9, 2022
Final: #Rockets 109, Spurs 118.
Ryan Hollins: "The Rockets just aren't talented enough, Craig, to tell the truth, to toy around with teams. They're not there, yet."
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) December 9, 2022
Really disappointing game from the #Rockets against a Spurs team riding an 11 game losing streak missing three key players tonight.
Worst loss of the season.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 9, 2022
Defense was optional tonight. Awful rim protection, poor transition defense, just a bad game from the young guys. Another teaching moment.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 9, 2022
Have to say a loss tonight would be one of the more disappointing losses in Coach Silas tenure. SA actively tanking, lost 11 in a row and you just had one of your best wins in years and you come out flat and with no passion
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 9, 2022
Down 20 points to a team that has lost 11 games in a row is unacceptable. #Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) December 9, 2022
It didn't count, but WOW @alperennsengun 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PsyJpDs8i4
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 9, 2022
Jabari visibly upset after not getting an entry pass from Nix. Was calling for the ball in post up position for about 7 seconds.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 9, 2022
New career high for @jabarismithjr — 23 points pic.twitter.com/voR9cQcjSm
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 9, 2022
Career high 23 points for @jabarismithjr
🏀9-13 FG🏀4-7 3PT🏀4 REB🏀@HoustonRockets I #Rockets pic.twitter.com/SWNMDSNPmR— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) December 9, 2022
I believe we call what happened in the #Rockets vs Spurs game “organic losing”
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 9, 2022
Silas: I didn’t like our swagger tonight. I didn’t like our attention to detail. Hopefully we learned the lesson of readiness.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 9, 2022
#Rockets fall to the Spurs 118-109 in San Antonio@HoustonRockets will play their next 7 games at home starting Sunday against the Bucks
Here was Jalen Green after tonight's loss pic.twitter.com/rYizvryj1k
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) December 9, 2022
Jalen Green on Houston’s high amount of road games to start the season: It’s hard, frustrating.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 9, 2022
FWIW, I think this is good.
One thing you don't want — especially after a bad loss — is complacency or apathy.
Be frustrated. Be upset. And then channel that to get better.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 9, 2022
