The Phoenix Suns have the second-best record in the Western Conference and entered Monday’s game at Toyota Center coming off two days of rest. By contrast, the Houston Rockets have the second-worst mark in the West and had played the night before.
Nonetheless, the weary Rockets (13-37) showed some impressive fight against the heavily favored Suns (35-14). While Phoenix still won the game, 133-130 (box score), the rebuilding Rockets were extremely competitive and hung within one possession into the final seconds.
Second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. led the way for the Rockets with 20 points (50% FG), 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and just three turnovers. A night earlier, Porter had one of his worst games of the 2020-21 season, scoring 12 points (33.3% FG) while turning the ball over eight times.
After Sunday’s loss, Porter tweeted that he had to improve, and the 20-year-old delivered on that promise less than 24 hours later.
I Gotta be better.
— Scoot (@Kevinporterjr) April 5, 2021
Beyond Porter, rookie forward Jae’Sean Tate tallied 18 points (58.3% FG), 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while frontcourt starters Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk added 22 and 21 points, respectively. Off the bench, Sterling Brown and rookie forward KJ Martin scored 16 and 13, respectively, and the Rockets went +10 and +11 during their time on the floor.
The Suns were led by 36 points and 6 assists from All-Star guard Devin Booker, while big man DeAndre Ayton added 27 points. Ayton’s 11 rebounds were far superior to his counterparts on the Rockets, namely Wood (3) and Olynyk (4). Former Rockets star Chris Paul scored 19 points and dished out a game-high 11 assists, while Mikal Bridges added 20 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range (66.7%).
FINAL: Suns 133, Rockets 130. Another loss but Rockets showing more progress. Kevin Porter Jr (20p-9r-8a), Christian Wood (23p), Kelly Olynyk (21p on 8-9 FG), Jae'Sean Tate (18p) all played well and KJ Martin (13p) continues to develop.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 6, 2021
All in all, it was arguably a best-case scenario for Houston. For a team that clearly isn’t headed to the 2021 playoffs, they boosted their odds of gaining a high draft pick by losing another game. Yet, there were clear signs of progress shown versus one of the NBA’s best teams — and most notably, by key young building blocks such as Porter, Tate, and Martin.
See below for a compilation of highlights and postgame reaction. Houston returns to play Wednesday when the in-state rival Dallas Mavericks visit Toyota Center, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. Central.
[lawrence-related id=46973,47363]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM_gdJd8TLk
Despite the outcome, a 133-130 loss to the hottest team in the NBA…that was probably the best game this group of players have played. Houston shot 54% and 17-33 from 3 against the 5th best defense in the NBA. All of the young guys played great. The Suns were just a tad better.
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) April 6, 2021
Stephen Silas said Christian Wood made that second free throw in the final seconds by accident. They hoped to miss and go for the rebound.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 6, 2021
Silas says there are things KPJ can learn by just being on the floor with D.J. Augustin. Praised KPJ’s control of the game along with Augustin’s ability to initiate offenses and call plays himself.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) April 6, 2021
Stephen Silas praised Kevin Porter Jr. for his performance, nearly getting a triple-double. "A 20-year old running a team against one of the best teams in the West. That's pretty impressive."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 6, 2021