Despite sitting a trio of accomplished veterans in Eric Gordon, Christian Wood, and Dennis Schroder, the young Houston Rockets pushed San Antonio to the brink in Monday’s 123-120 loss (box score). KJ Martin’s last-second attempt at a tying 3-pointer somehow spun out.
All-Star guard Dejounte Murray led the Spurs (31-44), who are competing for a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament, with a game-high 33 points and 11 assists. Yet, even with incentive and Murray playing at the top of his game, the rebuilding Rockets (20-56) had a chance.
The biggest reason was rookie guard Jalen Green, who continues to excel as the 2021-22 regular season winds down. With 30 points, the No. 2 pick from the 2021 NBA draft scored 30+ for the third time in his young career, and he hit 6-of-15 from 3-point range (40.0%). Just 20 years old, Green added 4 assists and 4 rebounds in his 40 minutes.
But Green had plenty of help from his backcourt mate and fellow rookies. Kevin Porter Jr. had 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, while rookie guard Josh Christopher added 20 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench. For Christopher, who hit 6-of-10 shots (60.0%), it was the third time in his career to score 20 or more.
Rockets lose.
As ideal of a loss as you can find.
Jalen Green dropped 30, Kevin Porter had 26/9/5 with some high level flashes, Josh Christopher with one of his best games or the season, Daishen Nix and Usman Garuba looked very solid in their minutes, KJ splashed 3s locked up.
— DGC (@Itamar_17_10) March 29, 2022
Alperen Sengun started for Wood at center and recorded 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, including 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%). However, the 19-year-old did not finish the game after suffering a lower leg contusion in the third quarter. Sengun initially stayed in, which seemed to offer hope that the injury isn’t viewed as overly concerning.
Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.