Tag: Aaron Holiday

Amen Thompson electric, but Rockets continue road misery in Memphis

Rookie guard Amen Thompson (19 points, 12 rebounds, 53% FG) was outstanding, but Houston’s road misery continued versus lowly Memphis.

In their final game before the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-30) continued their road misery with Wednesday’s 121-113 loss (box score) to the Grizzlies (19-36). Houston is 5-21 away from home this season, with the latest humiliation coming versus a lowly Memphis squad that had lost nine straight games going in.

Houston enters the break 12th in the Western Conference standings, 3 games behind Golden State in 10th, what would be the final berth of the 2024 play-in tournament.

Both teams were short-handed on Wednesday, with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Brandon Clarke among the rotation players absent for Memphis. Those unavailable for the Rockets included Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore.

Starting for VanVleet, rookie guard Amen Thompson was a bright spot for the Rockets, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 9-of-17 from the field (52.9%). But backcourt mate Jalen Green was a disaster, finishing with just 4 points and 3 assists in 23 minutes while shooting 2-of-7 overall (28.6%), 0-of-4 from 3-point range, and not earning a single fourth-quarter minute.

Granted, Green was far from alone in his shooting struggles. Starting forwards Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. combined to shoot just 8-of-30 overall (26.7%) and 2-of-16 on 3-pointers (12.5%).

Alperen Sengun tallied 19 points (50% FG), 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Aaron Holiday added 19 points off the bench while making 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%). Houston connected on 11-of-36 from beyond the 3-point arc as a team (30.6%), and without Holiday, that dipped to a woeful 6-of-28 from distance (21.4%).

Memphis raced to a 23-point lead midway through the first half before a furious Houston rally in the middle portions of the game gave the Rockets a two-point lead early in the fourth. But Houston couldn’t sustain that momentum, and in a familiar theme from recent weeks, the frantic rally wasn’t enough to get over the final hump.

Rookie forward GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 20 points and 9 rebounds in only 24 minutes off the bench, making 8-of-15 shots (53.3%) and 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60%). Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points in 27 minutes on 3-of-6 shooting from 3-point range (50%), including a pair of big triples in the fourth to stem the tide.

Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. After the All-Star break, the Rockets return to action on Feb. 22 in New Orleans. Tipoff versus the Pelicans is at 7 p.m. Central.

With second-half energy, Aaron Holiday rescues Rockets versus Knicks

“Jalen [Brunson] just ran into my chest, and they called a foul,” Aaron Holiday says of Monday’s frantic closing sequence for the Rockets.

HOUSTON — Most fans who showed up to Monday’s matchup at Toyota Center between the Rockets and New York Knicks came to see an undersized, overachieving point guard put on a show. They witnessed that, but not from the player they expected.

New York’s Jalen Brunson has received widespread accolades from NBA analysts, including some who believe he has a shot of winning MVP this season. As such, many of the 16,790 fans in attendance were there to see him put on a show.

Yet, what they got was a star performance from Rockets reserve guard Aaron Holiday, whose energy off the bench helped Houston outduel New York in a 105-103 win.

“It was good to have a spark come in and get out in transition and make big shots, but also what he does on the defensive side of the ball, as well,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of Holiday’s night.

Houston needed everything Holiday provided after blowing a 57-43 halftime lead during the third quarter. Its offense became predictable and stalled, which allowed New York to get back into the game. It held the Rockets to 17 points in the frame.

Holding a 74-71 lead to begin the final period, Houston needed someone to help it regain control. That player was Holiday, who made a statement within 26 seconds.

Near half court, Holiday tipped a pass from rookie guard Amen Thompson to himself, gathered, and proceeded to drive the lane with force. Holiday went on to dunk over Bojan Bogdanovic and Josh Hart of the Knicks, with Brunson watching on the other end of the court.

After a play like that, the 6-foot-0 guard out of UCLA did what anyone of his stature would in that spot. He flexed for the crowd.

“I was just trying it to see what happens,” Holiday said postgame regarding his posterizing dunk.

That play seemed to get Holiday going while re-energizing the Rockets (24-29). In a span of just a few minutes, Holiday scored nine of Houston’s 11 points and assisted on the other two points, feeding teammate Jabari Smith Jr. for a dunk.

“That dunk was a big spark and energy boost,” Smith Jr. told Rockets Wire of Holiday, who scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. “Just his energy alone … gives us all energy. He does that a lot off the bench, and we needed it tonight, and that was really good for us.”

Holiday’s fourth-quarter heroics were not done. In the closing stages, New York (33-21) climbed back into the game on the back of Brunson, who seemed to come to life in the second half after a disastrous first half (7 points).

With 8.3 seconds left, Brunson’s step-back jumper tied the game at 103. Houston called a timeout, looking to set up a play for either Alperen Sengun or Jalen Green to take the last shot to win the game.

As play resumed, Green was able to get the ball and drive to the basket before having his shot blocked by Precious Achiuwa. The deflection wound up in the hands of Holiday, who launched a desperation 3-point attempt over Brunson. After a controversial shooting foul call on the attempt, Holiday hit the first two free throws before intentionally missing the last one as time expired.

“I tried to get the ball and get a shot off,” Holiday said. “I saw him tip it, and it came close to me, so I just tried to get it and try and make a three. Jalen just ran into my chest, and they called a foul.”

After the game, crew chief Ed Malloy admitted the controversial foul called on Brunson was incorrect.

“After seeing it during the postgame review, the offensive player was able to return to a normal playing position on the floor,” Malloy said in a “pool report” interview with The Athletic. “Therefore, the contact which occurred after the ball’s release is incidental and marginal to the shot attempt and should not have been called.”

The incorrect call robbed the fans of seeing Holiday and Brunson continue to battle in an extra period. Still, the Rockets will gladly take the win to snap what had been a four-game losing streak.

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NBA official: Foul that ended Rockets-Knicks game shouldn’t have been called

In a postgame pool report, Monday’s NBA crew chief now says the late call that decided the Rockets-Knicks game in favor of Houston was a mistake.

In a postgame “pool report” interview with Fred Katz of The Athletic, Monday’s officiating crew chief said the late call that decided the Rockets-Knicks game in favor of Houston was a mistake.

“After seeing it during postgame review, the offensive player was able to return to a normal playing position on the floor,” NBA official (and crew chief) Ed Malloy said late Monday. “The contact which occurred after the release of the ball therefore is incidental and marginal to the shot attempt, and should not have been called.”

With the game tied at 103 in the closing seconds, official Jacyn Goble whistled New York’s Jalen Brunson for making contact with Houston’s Aaron Holiday on a shot attempt with 0.3 seconds left.

Holiday made two free throws to win the game for Houston (24-29), sending the Knicks (33-21) to a third straight loss.

“In live action, it was felt that the lower body contact was illegal contact,” Malloy said in his postgame remarks.

Malloy, however, now says the call was in error.

Whatever the case, there is no recourse available for New York to challenge the result. The Knicks did not have a replay challenge left, since they had  used one unsuccessfully on an earlier play.

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Reaction: Rockets beat Knicks before buzzer as Aaron Holiday erupts late

Aaron Holiday scored 11 clutch fourth-quarter points versus the Knicks, including the winning free throws with 0.3 seconds left, as Houston ended its losing streak.

HOUSTON — In their penultimate game before the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-29) snapped a four-game losing streak with Monday’s dramatic 105-103 home win (box score) over the Knicks (33-21). Aaron Holiday, who scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, hit two tiebreaking free throws with 0.3 seconds left after a controversial foul was called on New York’s Jalen Brunson.

Both teams were short-handed, with the Knicks missing Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Isaiah Hartenstein due to injury while Houston was without Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore.

Brunson led the Knicks with 27 points and 7 assists, though his tying jumper with 8.3 seconds left was offset by his foul of Holiday.

It was a balanced effort for the Rockets, who were led by the best 3-point shooting night of the season from Dillon Brooks.

Key stat lines included:

  • Dillon Brooks: 23 points, 5 rebounds; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 6-of-7 on 3-pointers (85.7%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 20 points, 7 rebounds; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 18 points, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 3 reboundsl 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists; 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%), 0-of-6 on 3-pointers, 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%)
  • Amen Thompson: 8 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals; 4-of-5 shooting (80.0%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds; 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)

In a game where the Rockets were out-rebounded by the larger Knicks, 51-39, the gritty defensive contributions by the likes of Holiday, Thompson, and Brooks were critical to Houston holding on.

Here’s our look at Monday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is Wednesday’s game at Memphis (18-35), where tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Central. That will be the final game before a hiatus of more than a week for the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Weekend.

Jalen Green soars to first career triple-double as Hawks clip short-handed Rockets

Jalen Green (26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) had his first career triple-double, but Houston’s short-handed squad couldn’t complete a rally in Atlanta.

In the finale of a frustrating four-game road trip, the short-handed Rockets led by 12 after the first quarter before running out of steam in Saturday’s 122-113 loss (box score) at Atlanta. Dejounte Murray returned from a two-game injury absence and led the Hawks (24-29) with an efficient 34 points, including 12-of-15 on free throws (80%).

As their Western Conference play-in tournament odds continue to fade, the Rockets (23-29) suffered their first four-game losing streak and are 5-20 away from home all season. In a familiar development, Houston’s late comeback bid couldn’t get over the hump despite closing the gap to five points with just over a minute left.

The Rockets, who were on the second night of a road back-to-back after losing Friday in Toronto, were down four key players due to injury: Alperen Sengun (lower back pain), Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) and Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain). The status of those players for the next game, Monday at home versus New York, is not clear.

Given those absences, several of the remaining Rockets stepped into larger roles and fared well offensively. Standouts included:

  • Jalen Green: 26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 turnovers; 10-of-22 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%)
  • Jeff Green: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 turnovers; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%)
  • Amen Thompson: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals; 6-of-10 shooting (60%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 14 points; 5-of-19 shooting (26.3%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4 steals; 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 18 points, 2 assists in 22 minutes; 7-of-10 shooting, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%)
  • Jock Landale: Season-high 9 rebounds in 13 minutes

However, Houston often struggled to get defensive stops versus Murray and Trae Young’s high-octane Hawks. After holding Atlanta to 19 points in the first quarter, the Rockets lost intensity as the game progressed, allowing 38 points in each of the next two quarters.

Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Atlanta, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the road trip complete, next up for the Rockets is Monday’s game versus the Knicks (33-19), with the tip set for 7 p.m. Central.

Adding injury to insult: Rockets lose game to lowly Raptors, Cam Whitmore to ankle sprain

The Rockets are now a woeful 5-19 on the road this season, and the loss of Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain) added injury to insult in Toronto.

On the third stop of a four-game road trip, the turnover-prone Rockets (22 total) delivered one of their worst performances of the season in Friday’s 107-104 loss (box score) at Toronto. After trailing by as many as 22 points in the third quarter, Houston’s late comeback bid came up just short, just as it did in the previous game at Indiana.

The Raptors (19-33), led by 25 points from Immanuel Quickley, dealt Houston (23-29) its fourth straight road loss.

Cam Whitmore scored 17 points in just over 17 minutes, shooting 5-of-9 overall (55.6%) and 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%). But fittingly, on a night where so many things went wrong for the Rockets, Whitmore left in the second half and couldn’t continue due to a right ankle sprain — which he suffered late in the first half during a controversial no-call sequence that didn’t go Houston’s way.

The Rockets did not immediately offer a timetable for Whitmore’s return, but his availability for Saturday’s game in Atlanta — which takes place less than 24 hours from the injury — is in doubt.

For better or for worse, other notable stat lines included:

  • Dillon Brooks: 20 points, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers in 30 minutes; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 4-of-5 on 3-pointers (80.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 12 points, 11 rebounds in 33 minutes; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Jalen Green: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 turnovers in 22 minutes; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 turnovers in 21 minutes; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
  • Amen Thompson: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 turnovers in 31 minutes; 4-of-5 shooting (80.0%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 12 points, 5 assists in 30 minutes; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
  • Jeff Green: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists in 27 minutes; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)

Neither Jalen Green nor Sengun were part of Houston’s closing lineup. Sengun struggled to handle Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl, who had with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots while shooting 7-of-11 from the field (63.6%). It was a dramatic reversal from when Sengun had his way inside during last week’s meeting.

Houston routed Toronto in that Feb. 2 game, but that was at home, where the Rockets are 18-9 this season. They are a staggering 5-19 on the road, and that discrepancy is a big part of why they’ve fallen to No. 12 in the Western Conference standings, with a potential run to the play-in tournament becoming increasingly unlikely.

Another factor in their recent regression is injuries. Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both remained sidelined, although there is hope that each could return within the next few days. The Rockets are now 0-5 in the 2023-24 season without VanVleet and 11-18 without Eason.

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Toronto, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the road trip finally concludes, next up for Houston is Saturday’s game at Atlanta (22-29), where tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. sparks Rockets in upset win over Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo

Jabari Smith Jr. (14 points, 12 rebounds, game-high 40 minutes) sparked the short-handed Rockets in an upset win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

HOUSTON — One night after a loss that head coach Ime Udoka called perhaps their worst of the 2023-24 season to date, the Rockets responded with one of their best efforts in Saturday’s 112-108 win (box score) over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center.

It was the seventh and final game of a season-long homestand for the Rockets, who improved to 18-16 despite not having two rotation regulars in Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness). Milwaukee, which lost despite 48 points by perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, fell to 25-11.

Jabari Smith Jr. played a game-high 40 minutes for the Rockets and had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals, making for one of his best efforts in weeks. Smith hit 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%), including a dagger with under two minutes left to seal the win.

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets in scoring with 21 points, though he was limited by the Bucks to 7-of-21 shooting (33.3%). Sengun also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.

On a balanced night, other Houston players in double figures were:

  • Jalen Green: 16 points, 4 rebounds; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 5-of-5 on free throws
  • Jeff Green: 16 points in 34 minutes; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%), 4-of-5 on free throws
  • Fred VanVleet: 14 points, 7 assists, 2 steals; 4-of-13 shooting (30.8%), 3-of-10 on 3-pointers (30.0%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 12 points, 3 rebounds in 13 minutes; 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 3-of-3 on free throws
  • Aaron Holiday: 11 points in 21 minutes; 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%)

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the homestand complete, Houston will now begin a six-game Eastern Conference road trip, which starts Monday at Miami (20-15). Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. Central.

‘Season of Giving’: How Rockets gave back to Houston over holidays

The Houston Rockets, along with select players and Kroger as the official sponsor, hosted a series of “Season of Giving” events in December.

The Houston Rockets, along with select players and sponsor Kroger, hosted a series of “Season of Giving” events in December.

Rockets players who took part in these special holiday events included Boban Marjanović, Aaron Holiday, Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, Jae’Sean Tate, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.

Read on for details of various program events over the past two weeks, along with photos and videos of the many players taking part. All information and multimedia content is courtesy of the Rockets.

Dec. 12

Marjanović kicked off the team’s Season of Giving initiative by participating in a shopping spree for underserved families at Kroger on Buffalo Speedway. As part of that shopping spree, Marjanović spent the evening posing for photos and helping select families pick out groceries with gift cards provided by Kroger.

Dec. 19

The Rockets and Holiday partnered with Kroger to provide Casa De Esperanza with holiday gifts for its House of Hope foster care program. Kroger gifted a refrigerator and air fryer while donating groceries to fill the fridge and pantry of a “House of Hope” home.

Through the Aaron Holiday Foundation, Aaron and his wife, Ashli, made a donation to the program, which was matched by the NBA. Casa de Esperanza, which opened in 1982, provides safety, hope and a home to children whose families are affected by domestic violence, substance abuse, poverty, homelessness and mental illness.

Elsewhere, Smith provided a special experience for 50 students at Jack Yates High School with holiday gifts and a surprise party featuring food and entertainment. Located in the heart of Houston’s Third Ward community, Jack Yates High School opened in 1926 and was Houston’s second school for African-American children.

Finally, VanVleet and Houston Texans offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil jointly hosted a surprise shopping spree for 50 kids from the Urban Enrichment Institute. VanVleet and Tunsil began the festivities with a Christmas dinner party, courtesy of Trill Burgers.

Following dinner, VanVleet and Tunsil took the students to Target to help them pick out holiday gifts as part of a shopping spree.

The Urban Enrichment Institute is a youth leadership and development program for at-risk males between the 12 and 19 years old. It is designed to empower boys to become responsible men and productive members of their families and communities.

Dec. 21

Tate partnered with Lily’s Toy Box to provide holiday gifts for underserved children. Tate participated in holiday activities with children and presented them with tickets to a future home game.

Lily’s Toy Box is described as a nonprofit foundation that provides new toys to kids going through difficult situations. It was originally founded by 8-year-old Lily DuBose, when she began giving away her own toys to kids affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Later that day, Green hosted a holiday party for families at Ronald McDonald House Houston. While there, Green was joined by Rockets mascot Clutch the Bear and members of the Clutch City Dancers, who helped distribute gifts and serve dinner to the families.

For 40 years, Ronald McDonald House Houston has provided a home away from home for families whose children are seriously ill and being treated at a hospital inside the Texas Medical Center.

That night, Brooks hosted a holiday party for more than 50 foster kids at BEAR Houston. Brooks was hand to greet the kids and provided them with a special dinner courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings. There was a photo booth, face painting station and various other holiday activities for kids to participate in with Brooks.

BEAR…BE A Resource is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve lives by providing hope and help for at-risk and CPS-involved children and their caretakers in the greater Houston area.

Dec. 22

To close the “Season of Giving,” Brooks invited a Rockets fan facing a serious illness to attend Friday’s home game versus the Mavericks. Brooks provided a VIP experience for the fan and their family, including a pregame meet-and-greet on the court.

Scroll on for further details and highlights from each of these holiday events, along with accompanying photos and videos.

Takeaways: Cavs edge Rockets in overtime after Alperen Sengun’s potential winner rims out

Alperen Sengun (24 points, 8 rebounds) and Fred VanVleet (27 points, 17 assists) played well in defeat, but Sengun’s potential game-winner rimmed out in Cleveland.

Rockets stars Alperen Sengun (24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) and Fred VanVleet (27 points, 17 assists, 8 rebounds) played extremely well on Monday night in Cleveland, but the big man’s bid for a clinching buzzer-beater rimmed out in regulation. The Cavaliers then pulled away in overtime, 135-130 (box score).

It was the second night of a road back-to-back for Houston, which seemed to run out of steam during the extra five minutes. The Rockets (13-11) finished a three-game road trip 1-2 after also losing Sunday’s game in Milwaukee, while Cleveland (15-12) won its second straight.

The Cavs were led by superstar guard Donovan Mitchell, who had 37 points and 6 assists while shooting 14-of-27 overall (51.9%) and 4-of-11 on 3-pointers (36.4%). Cleveland hit 19-of-48 from 3-point range as a team, led by five off the bench by Sam Merrill, who finished with 19 points in 24 minutes while shooting 50% on treys.

Other noteworthy Rockets performances during Monday’s game, both in positive and negative ways, consisted of:

  • Tari Eason: 14 points, 8 rebounds in 33 minutes; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80%)
  • Jalen Green: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; 2-of-12 shooting (16.7%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 5 points, 7 rebounds; 2-of-7 shooting (28.6%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-12 shooting (50%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Jeff Green: 15 points, 3 rebounds in 24 minutes; 6-of-6 shooting, 3-of-3 on free throws
  • Aaron Holiday: 14 points, 2 rebounds in 17 minutes; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Monday’s game in Cleveland, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a return home to Houston, where they have won 11 straight games. The tip for Wednesday’s Rockets-Hawks matchup at Toyota Center is slated for 7 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Aaron Holiday erupts vs. Thunder as Houston wins ninth straight at home

After defeating Oklahoma City, Houston’s home winning streak is now at nine games. Aaron Holiday scored 22 points and made 6-of-7 from 3-point range (85.7%).

HOUSTON — The home winning streak for the Rockets (9-9) is at nine games after Wednesday’s convincing 110-101 victory (box score) over the Oklahoma City Thunder (13-7).

Reserve guard Aaron Holiday had easily the best game of his Rockets tenure with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 27 minutes off the bench. Holiday connected on 6-of-7 shots from 3-point range (85.7%) at Toyota Center, which led the way in a strong 15-of-33 night (45.5%) for Houston’s 3-point shooting as a team.

Other standout players for the Rockets included:

  • Dillon Brooks: Team-high 23 points, 4 rebounds; 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 6 points, career-high 18 rebounds; 2-of-4 shooting (50%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 21 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks; 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%)
  • Jalen Green: 15 points, 7 rebounds; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 11 points, 9 assists, 3 steals; 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Tari Eason: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks; 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%), 3-of-4 on free throws (75%)

Sengun drew frequent double teams after a strong start, which helped lead to open 3-point shots for Holiday and others. Led by Smith and Sengun inside, Houston won the rebounding battle against Oklahoma City by a commanding margin, 53-30.

The Thunder were paced by star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 33 points, 6 assists and 6 steals while shooting 13-of-18 from the field (72.2%) and 7-of-9 on free throws (77.8%).

In a matchup of top-three picks from the 2022 NBA draft, Smith (No. 3) largely outplayed Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren (No. 2). The 7-foot-1 big man had a game-high 6 blocks but finished with just 4 points and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes, shooting 2-of-9 (22.2%) overall.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Wednesday’s game versus the Thunder, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is Friday’s game at Denver, with the tip set for 8 p.m. Central from Ball Arena.