With 11 straight losses and 16 in their last 17 games, overall, the young Houston Rockets are now tied for the NBA’s longest losing streak of the 2022-23 season after Monday’s 140-132 road setback (box score) against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Perennial All-Star forward and future Hall of Famer LeBron James led the Lakers (20-24) with a season-high 48 points on 16-of-26 shooting (61.5%), including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50%) and 11-of-12 on free throws (91.7%). James also had 9 assists and 7 rebounds.
But the Rockets (10-34) weren’t devoid of bright spots, starting with a career scoring night for second-year center Alperen Sengun.
Key offensive statistics for the Rockets, who collectively allowed a season-high point total for the 2022-23 year, included:
- Alperen Sengun: Career-high 33 points, 14-of-17 shooting (82.4%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers; 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks in 37 minutes
- Jalen Green: 23 points, 7-of-20 shooting (35%), 3-of-10 on 3-pointers (30%), 6-of-8 on free throws (75%); 5 rebounds, 3 assists in 39 minutes
- KJ Martin: 17 points, 7-of-14 shooting (50%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%); 6 rebounds, 2 blocks in 30 minutes
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%); 4 rebounds, 4 assists in 28 minutes
- Eric Gordon: 19 points, 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 9-of-11 on free throws (81.8%); season-high 8 assists in 32 minutes
- Tari Eason: 9 points, 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers; 7 rebounds in 20 minutes
Starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. missed his third straight game with a left foot contusion, which he suffered last week in Sacramento.
Scroll on for Monday’s highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. With its four-game California road trip in the books, Houston returns to action on Wednesday for a home game versus Charlotte. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.