The Houston Rockets were missing six expected rotation players on Monday night in Charlotte, with four out due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols and the starting backcourt of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. resting for back-to-back maintenance after recent injuries.
Given those absences, the result against the Hornets and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball largely went as expected. Charlotte won a second consecutive game as the Hornets (18-17) battle for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, while the Rockets (10-24) lost a fourth straight game while maintaining their spot in the West’s cellar.
In Monday’s 123-99 blowout (box score), Terry Rozier led the way for the home team with a game-high 27 points on 7-of-12 shooting from 3-point range (58.3%). Meanwhile, Ball scored 16 points, made 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%), and dished out a game-high 7 assists.
The Rockets were led by recent signing Trevelin Queen, who had an NBA career-high 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals in 29 minutes off the bench. The 6-foot-6 guard, who turns 25 years old in February, hit 4-of-10 shots from 3-point range (40.0%). Queen’s promising performance is welcome news, since he’s likely to receive more playing time in the days ahead due to the growing health and safety protocols list.
Hornets 123, Rockets 99. Rockets led by Trevelin Queen's 17, which were 14 more than the rest of his career combined.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 28, 2021
Besides Queen, other players scoring in double-figures were:
- Eric Gordon: 16 points, 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 3 assists in 24 minutes
- Christian Wood: 16 points, 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 9 rebounds, 3 assists in 26 minutes
- Daishen Nix: 11 points, 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals in 26 minutes
- Armoni Brooks: 11 points, 3-of-14 on 3-pointers (21.4%), 4 assists, 3 rebounds in 35 minutes
The good news for the Rockets is that assuming they don’t test positive for COVID-19, Green and Porter should be back in the lineup on Tuesday when Houston hosts the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central. Until then, scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction following Monday’s short-handed loss.
