In a feel-good victory following a chaotic two days, the undermanned Rockets finished Thursday’s game on a 19-6 run to defeat the host San Antonio Spurs, 109-105 (box score). It was the first road win of the 2020-21 season for Houston and new head coach Stephen Silas.
Superstar guard James Harden was officially traded earlier in the day, and new acquisitions Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, and Rodions Kurucs haven’t yet had time to complete physicals and join the team. The Rockets had only nine active players, with rotation fixtures John Wall (sore left knee), Eric Gordon (lower left leg tightness), Danuel House Jr. (health and safety protocols) all sidelined, as well.
Nonetheless, the shorthanded Rockets (4-6) still found a way to shake off a two-game losing streak and defeat the Spurs (6-6), who entered having won four of five games. Big man Christian Wood led Houston with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks, and he made 5-of-7 (71.4%) from behind the 3-point arc. Sterling Brown started for Wall and had 23 points (52.9% FG) and 7 rebounds, while rookie forward Jae’Sean Tate had the first double-double of his career with 13 points and 10 assists.
With Houston severely short on options, rookies Mason Jones and KJ Martin combined for 15 points off the bench on 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%). For both players, it was their first NBA action as rotation players.
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Meanwhile, strong defense by veteran forward PJ Tucker helped limit San Antonio’s leading scorer on the season, DeMar DeRozan, to just 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%). With Tucker forcing him into a contested fadeaway, DeRozan missed a shot in the final seconds that could have tied the game. Tucker then made both free throws after securing the rebound, which iced the game and provided the final margin.
Here’s a sampling of Thursday’s postgame reaction from a joyous Houston locker room. The Rockets and Spurs will meet again on the same AT&T Center court on Saturday afternoon for an immediate rematch.
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