On the second stop of a four-game road trip, the short-handed Houston Rockets ran out of steam in the second half in Tuesday’s 132-129 loss (box score) in Indiana. Houston (23-27) is four games below .500 for the first time in the 2023-24 NBA season.
The Rockets scored 75 points in the first half and led by as many as 10, but their shooting cooled significantly in a third quarter, which the Pacers (29-23) won by a decisive 38-24 margin. Pascal Siakam led the way with 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting (68.8%).
Led by young guards Jalen Green and Amen Thompson, the Rockets fought back valiantly but couldn’t come any closer than three points during a frantic closing sequence. Houston finished on a 25-14 run over the final seven-plus minutes, including a 10-3 burst over the last three minutes.
Standout players for the Rockets included:
- Jalen Green: 30 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals; 12-of-20 shooting (60%), 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60%)
- Amen Thompson: 13 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 1-of-4 on free throws (25%)
- Dillon Brooks: 23 points, 4 assists; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 20 points, 9 rebounds; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%)
- Alperen Sengun: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), 6-of-8 on free throws (75%)
Green has scored at least 29 points in five of eight games.
Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both missed the game due to injury, although there is hope that both players could return within a week or so.
Here’s our look at Tuesday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Indiana, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the road trip continues with its back half, next up for Houston is Friday’s game at Toronto (17-33), where tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.