For the young Houston Rockets (1-8), the losing streak is five after another loss to the Los Angeles Clippers (4-4) at Toyota Center on Wednesday. Perennial All-Star candidate Paul George again led the way for the veteran-laden Clippers with a game-high 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting (50%).
Unlike Monday’s loss in Los Angeles, the 109-101 result (box score) in Houston featured promising signs for some of the home team’s most important young prospects. The Rockets fell behind by 18 early, fought back to take a brief lead in the third quarter and kept the game tight until the final whistle.
Second-year big man Alperen Sengun had the best night of his 2022-23 season, putting up 26 points and 13 rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%). Meanwhile, second-year guard Jalen Green added 22 points and 4 rebounds on efficient 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%), in stark contrast to his slump on Houston’s recent 0-4 road trip.
Unfortunately, other key Rockets players were not as efficient. Veteran guard Eric Gordon had no points on 0-of-4 shooting. Rookie Jabari Smith Jr. scored only 2 points on 1-of-10 shooting (10%). Kevin Porter Jr. had 22 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds, but he committed 6 turnovers and shot 7-of-19 (36.8%).
Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews from Wednesday night at Toyota Center. The Rockets head back out on the road for another extended trip starting Saturday in Minnesota. The tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
End of the day, I think you can live with this type of loss. The Clippers are a veteran team and know how to win down the stretch. You just want to see the Rockets take care of the ball better and not come out like they forgot the game started at 7
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 3, 2022
It’s early, but the Houston Rockets are pace for the worst record in the NBA for the 3rd straight season.
They have the same amount of wins as they did as this point last year.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 3, 2022
Thoughts on tonights loss
Rockets loss this game in the 1st quarter when they came out lackluster.
Anytime you have me turnovers than assist, you are probably losing
Sengun showed why there is no reason he shouldn't be starting going forward.
Garuba +6 highest on the team pic.twitter.com/B1Al82w3us
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 3, 2022
Final: Rockets 101, Clippers 109.
Al-P: 26/13/3
Jalen Green: 22/4/1 — 16 pts in 2nd half
KPJ: 22/7/7 and 6 turnovers.
Daishen Nix: 12/3/1.
Jabari Smith: 2 pts (1/10 fgs — 0/5 3s)Rockets now 1-8.
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) November 3, 2022
Alperen Sengun fouls out with:
26 points
13 rebounds
3 assists
1 block8-13 from the field
0-1 from 3-PT range
10-11 from the FT lineI mean how can one pass up the opportunity to start the great Bruno Fernando?
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 3, 2022
18 turnovers 16 assist I am pretty sure that's not a good ration but I am not a analytics expert
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 3, 2022
7-point game becomes a 12-point game in the span of 15 seconds after a Paul George layup, KPJ turnover and then a Marcus Morris three.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 3, 2022
As I said, basketball is an easy sport. Get the ball to your best post player and good things happen https://t.co/i89rb3jPl6
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 3, 2022
Alperen Sengun had Ivica Zubac LOST 😭
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTffPX pic.twitter.com/Jb6qZASvHh
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) November 3, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr. landed awkwardly going for an offensive rebound, got up gingerly and didn't look great moving around.
KJ Martin checked in for him and he limped over to the #Rockets bench.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 3, 2022
Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun were excellent tonight. Tari Eason and Usman Garuba dominated defensively and on the boards.
So why did the Rockets lose? Coaching, rookie mistakes, Gordon being overly passive and Paul George. A pretty good loss.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 3, 2022
Alperen Sengun just had one of the best offensive games in career.
26 Points. 13 Rebounds. 8-13, FG, 10-11 FT. 3 assists. 0 Turnovers.
And he did so much of it against Ivica Zubac, an elite post defender who gives the likes of Jokic some trouble.
A star growing. Just 20 still
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 3, 2022
Jalen Green had been in a slump — has finally broken out of it for Rockets, scoring 14 of Houston's 21 3rd quarter points while making 3 3s.
Clippers holding onto 78-74 lead with 2:59 left in 3rd. I guess we'll see if it's Norm Powell's turn to end quarter with buzzer beater.
— Law Murray 🎃 (@LawMurrayTheNU) November 3, 2022
Brutal turnover there as pass from KJ Martin goes right through Usman Garuba's hands.
Had a chance to cut the lead to four, instead now down eight with 20 seconds left.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 3, 2022
Kevin Porter Jr.: "When we figure it out, we're gonna figure it out, and we're gonna be a scary team to play against every night." pic.twitter.com/boogHh0Psc
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 3, 2022
