Garrison Mathews returned to Houston’s lineup after a four-game health and safety protocols absence and scored a team-high 23 points, including 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%), but it wasn’t nearly enough for the Rockets in a 133-113 loss (box score) to the host Philadelphia 76ers.
Perennial MVP candidate Joel Embiid led the Sixers with a triple-double of 31 points (60.0% FG), 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. The 76ers had plenty of help from surrounding shooters, who hit 17-of-40 from 3-point range (42.5%). Furkan Korkmaz was the headliner with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, including three 3-pointers, while Isaiah Joe added 18 points off the bench on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range (62.5%).
By comparison, the Rockets made only 15-of-44 from 3-point range (34.1%), and shooters outside of Mathews were 11-of-36 (30.6%). Rookie Jalen Green scored 12 points in 27 minutes, but he shot just 3-of-12 from the field (25.0%) and only 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%).
As expected, the Rockets were very short-handed on Monday in Philadelphia, with two starters suspended in point guard Kevin Porter Jr. and center Christian Wood. Backup center Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain) also remains out, leaving veteran Daniel Theis as the only remaining big — and he shot just 3-of-13 from the field (23.1%) in a game-high 34 minutes, including 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%).
The Sixers, who have looked the part of a contender when Embiid is healthy, won their fourth straight game to improve to 20-16 this season. For the rebuilding Rockets (10-28), it’s an eighth straight loss.
Houston will finish up its brief two-game road trip on Wednesday in Washington, where tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CST. Until then, scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction from Monday.
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