‘Last of a dying breed’: Rockets find leadership, flexibility in Fred VanVleet

“He is the last of a dying breed,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups says of Rockets veteran Fred VanVleet. “He plays the game from the neck up.”

Coming off a 34-point performance in Saturday’s blowout win over the Utah Jazz, including 10 made 3-pointers, tying a franchise record, veteran Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet felt good heading into Monday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.

VanVleet’s attitude changed quickly when Portland’s lineup of young rookies put Houston on its heels early. His 1-of-11 shooting (9%) in the first half was much different than his 7-for-8 (88%) start two days prior. Combine VanVleet’s anemic start with a 23% showing from Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson, and that 51-47 halftime deficit looked like a generous gift from the Blazers.

Then, just as they have done numerous times during their current nine-game winning streak, Houston bounced back in the second half as Jalen Green torched Portland’s defense for 19 points (finishing with 27). It was his sixth straight game to score 25 or more points.

But as impressive as Green’s second-half performance was, it was the resurgence of VanVleet that helped the Rockets win, 110-92.

“He is going to keep his head in the game,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said about VanVleet’s resiliency. ‘He did not have a ton of assists due to us shooting poorly, but he was making the right plays.”

After the halftime break, Udoka used a different strategy to get VanVleet going as he turned his miserable first half into a respectable 4-of-7 shooting (57%), 13-point second half.

“What we tried to do was take him off the ball a little more,” Udoka said of the change in approach. “They were switching a lot and that gave us some trouble in the first half. We took him off the ball and ran some backside action that got him some better selections. That is the luxury with him. You can play him on or off the ball.”

VanVleet has been a calming presence for Houston this season, with his veteran leadership helping guide young players such as Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore as they seek to maximize their potential.

But it isn’t just coaches and teammates that recognize what VanVleet has done to help the Rockets (36-35) get over the hump this season. Opposing head coaches, such as Portland’s Chauncey Billups, acknowledge what he has done to help the Rockets improve.

“He is the last of a dying breed,” said Billups, who played 17 seasons in the NBA. “He is a pure point guard. He plays on both ends of the floor, and he plays the game from the neck up. That is not the case as much anymore, as the game has changed a bit in terms of that.”

“He is just a leader and has brought them (Rockets) that stability, he has brought them some toughness, he has elevated their (basketball) IQ, and he makes the game easy for a lot of those guys over there,” Billups concluded. “I think he allows Jalen Green to go and do what he does because he can put you in the right spots at all times. He knows how to speed the game up and slow the game down when it matters. It is a real treat to have a guy like that, and I am happy for Freddy.”

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As Jalen Green piles up points and wins, other Rockets are also reaping benefits

“He has been the key to everything,” Fred VanVleet says of Rockets star Jalen Green. “Our confidence, our pace, our spacing, his guarding.”

Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green has arguably been the NBA’s best player in March. After a slow start, he has helped Houston (35-35) win eight consecutive games while climbing within reach of a play-in tournament berth in the Western Conference.

Many will look at how efficiently Green has scored during the Rockets’ eight-game winning streak. However, his on-court presence is also helping generate better looks for teammates.

Green, 22, has scored at least 25 points in the past five games, and his 172 points are the most by any Rockets player over a five-game span since James Harden. Yet, the most significant dynamic in Houston’s resurgence has been the attention he draws from defenders.

Against the Bulls last Thursday, Green shot 67% (4-of-6) from the field in the first quarter, while teammate Dillon Brooks scored 11 points on a 5-of-6 effort from the floor (83.3%). His numbers were a direct result of Chicago defenders following Green to prevent one of those double-digit first quarters  he’s become known for.

The pattern continued when the Rockets hosted Utah on Saturday (a blowout win). Green went 6-of-8 (75%) from the field in the first quarter, scoring 13 points, while point guard Fred VanVleet hit five of the six 3-point shots he attempted for 17 first-quarter points.

“He has been the key to everything,” VanVleet said postgame regarding Green. “Our confidence, our pace, our spacing, his guarding, and when he is on like that, it is another nuclear weapon to have out there that can go and get you 30 or 40 (points) at any given time.”

“It changes the way the defense is guarding,” VanVleet said. “It changes the coverages and matchups. He has been huge for us, obviously. It is just a testament to him staying with it and working through what has been an up and down year for him, but he is finding it.”

What has helped Green’s evolution is his ability to quickly read what opposing defenses are trying to do to him, and attack first. He did not do this in February, when he averaged 15.8 points on 36.8% shooting from the field (and 26.3% from 3-point range) in 12 games. It was easy for teams to push him out of his preferred spots.

Yet, all that has changed. On Monday, as Green enters his 12th game of the month against the Portland Trail Blazers, the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week has increased his scoring to 27.8 points per game. His 51.4% field goal percentage and 41.7% clip 3-point range have led to the Rockets applying significant pressure on the Golden State Warriors (36-34) for the final play-in spot.

“Hopefully, I am the main focus over there,” Green said of his on-court presence and opening the court for teammates. “They are loading up on defense, so once I drive, it is easy for kickouts.”

Ime Udoka, head coach of the Rockets, also recognizes teams are starting to notice how aggressive his third-year shooting guard has become. That has especially been the case over the last six games, given the injury losses of offensive weapons Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain) and Cam Whitmore (right knee sprain).

“You have to game plan differently,” Udoka said. “At times when you would help off of certain guys and take away certain things, I think him playing at that level and Fred shooting it the way he does, you have to try and take away something. That opens up other things.”

“So, him being on a hot streak, the defense has to get a little higher, and they don’t go under as much, so he can get downhill,” Udoka said of the ripple effects of Green’s surge. “I think that, as well as his rim reads and finding his outlets, that has impacted our team hugely.”

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‘Playing his ass off’: As Rockets guards improve, Fred VanVleet lauds Jalen Green’s growth

Fred VanVleet on Jalen Green: “The better he plays, the easier it is on everybody. I’ve got to give him all the credit. He’s been playing his ass off.”

Heading into the NBA’s 2023-24 All-Star break, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka left his team and its fans with something to consider. He had just watched his team struggle versus a depleted Grizzlies team (missing four starters) to secure what was Houston’s fifth loss in six games, including a four-game losing streak.

“Maybe I have to look at the rotation and the lineup I have out there starting and try to get five competitors out there at one time to avoid poor starts,” Udoka said after that loss in Memphis.

After reflecting on his statement, Udoka decided to keep his starting rotation together and not make any changes. Still, the message resonated throughout the Rockets’ locker room.

Although he never mentioned names, his starting backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green knew some of Udoka’s comments were directed at them. Both knew they needed to reassure their head coach they could get the job done if given the opportunity to continue playing together.

Since the All-Star break, that duo has become one of the NBA’s hottest backcourts. That has helped the Rockets get back into contention for a potential Western Conference play-in tournament berth. Entering Monday, the Rockets (32-35) are 7-1 in March, and their five-game winning streak is tied with Udoka’s former team (the Boston Celtics) for the league’s longest active streak.

During their March resurgence, VanVleet has averaged 20.1 points and 10 assists per game. He has had four double-doubles over the past eight games and is keeping Houston in games by not giving away possessions, averaging just 2 turnovers during that stretch.

“With the spacing and just trying to give the ball to the playmakers and let guys make plays,” VanVleet said when asked about being in control of the game from the point guard position. “It is my job to get guys in the right spot and give them the ball.”

VanVleet’s backcourt mate, Green, has been in the right position over the last 10 games, with Houston posting a 7-3 record. The third-year prospect has become more effective and efficient on both ends of the floor, and that’s something he struggled with earlier in the season — often leading to reduced playing time.

During Houston’s current winning streak, Green is averaging 25 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, shooting 49.5% from the floor and 41% from 3-point range.

“That’s all him,” VanVleet said about Green. “He’s been rolling. I got to give him all the credit. He’s got that swag, that confidence, making shots at a high level. His threes are getting better. But he’s been playing good ball for a while, now, at both ends of the floor. He’s guarding. He’s taking pride in rebounding. The better he plays, the easier it is on everybody. He’s been playing his ass off.”

That improvement out of the backcourt is vital for a Houston team that is suddenly without rising star Alperen Sengun at center, and that appears likely to remain the case for the rest of this season. The Rockets are 3-0 since Sengun’s March 10 injury.

VanVleet, Green and the rest of the Rockets look to keep that momentum rolling when they visit Washington (11-57) on Tuesday (6 p.m. Central). Houston enters the week 3 1/2 games out of the West’s final play-in tournament spot.

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Road warriors? Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet lead Houston’s sudden resurgence

“He has stringed together a really good group of games,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka says of Jalen Green’s recent growth. “Not just offensively, but all around.”

Based on their performance in March, is it safe to call the Houston Rockets “road warriors?” That might be an exaggeration. But after Sunday’s win in Sacramento extended their road winning streak to three games, they are making at least a small case for it.

Those three victories, including two over likely playoff-bound teams in the form of the Kings and Phoenix Suns, have been impressive. Across the board, Houston has used excellent ball movement and staunch defensive efforts to silence those home crowds.

On the whole, the Rockets have been putrid on the road. Even after the last three wins, their road record remains just 8-24 this season, and this the first time that Houston has won more than two straight road games. This time, however, Ime Udoka’s squad has looked better as a collective unit while featuring a complete team effort.

Third-year shooting guard Jalen Green has improved in away games and has gotten used to playing in hostile environments. That became evident when he was booed every time he touched the ball at Footprint Arena, home of the Suns, after his altercation with Bradley Beal (which led to Beal’s ejection from the game).

Over his last five road games, Green has averaged 26.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 42.2% overall.

“He has stringed together a really good group of games,” Udoka said from Sacramento. “Not just offensively, but all around. He is making some great passes and some great reads out of the pick-and-roll.”

Green’s backcourt mate, Fred VanVleet, has also imposed his veteran leadership during the three-game road winning streak by controlling the offense. Houston has looked much cleaner on the offensive side of the ball, with VanVleet making sure that everyone is in the right spot and that the ball does not stagnate.

As a scorer, VanVleet has increased his output to 21.3 points per game in those three road wins. But his 10.0 assists average, while only committing 2.3 turnovers, has arguably been more impressive.

Although it may be a little too late for the Rockets (29-35) to make a run at a postseason play-in spot, they have played inspired basketball, winning four out of their last five while going 5-5 in 10 games since the All-Star break. This is a big improvement over their previous record of 3-7, which included a four-game losing streak.

“I think we have had really good stretches,” Udoka told reporters Sunday. “We have played really good basketball at times.”

Houston will end its current road trip against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday before returning home to Toyota Center to take on the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers.

With the status of star big man Alperen Sengun suddenly in serious doubt due to a leg injury, Udoka and the Rockets will likely need guards such as VanVleet and Green to do even more to help generate offense and keep the team’s recent momentum rolling.

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‘Perfect formula’: Rockets blast Spurs behind physical defense, Alperen Sengun’s brilliance

“They put us in the mud, and we didn’t respond very well, and you got the outcome,” legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after losing in Houston.

HOUSTON — Prior to Tuesday’s game versus San Antonio, Houston center Alperen Sengun knew entering his matchup with rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama that he would have to play better than in Houston’s Dec. 13 victory over the Spurs.

That night, Sengun had a decent game with 15 points and nine rebounds, but Wembanyama’s length caused him problems all night. So, too, did double teams from other Spurs on defense, which forced Sengun into a game-high six turnovers.

That was not the case on Tuesday night. Sengun had a career-high 45 points, 16 rebounds and a career-best five steals as the Rockets defeated the Spurs, 114-101, at the Toyota Center.

It is the sixth time a player has recorded at least 45 points, 15 rebounds and 5 steals in a single game since the start of the 1983-84 NBA season. It is the second time in that span it has been done by a Rocket (James Harden had 61 points, 15 rebounds and five steals at New York in January 2019).

“I didn’t play that good last game against him, I can say,” Sengun said in postgame comments. “And I didn’t see that much double-teams. They just leave me one-on-one with Wemby. I just did what I do.”

“He’s so tall, but he’s not that strong, yet. So, I was going at his chest and putting him under the rim.”

The third-year center from Turkey imposed his physical presence on Wembanyama the entire game and continually finished at the rim with force. That largely negated the rookie’s height advantage. Sengun was consistently fed in the post by guards Fred VanVleet, who finished the game with 10 assists, and Jalen Green.

“He was a beast,” Green said to reporters in a tone loud enough for Sengun to hear him across the locker room. “He played amazing. That’s the Alpi I know, so it doesn’t surprise me.”

With Rockets forward Dillon Brooks constantly harassing him, Wenbamyama finished with only 10 points after averaging 25 over his last five games, including 31 points in his previous game versus Indiana. He was outscored by Sengun, 30-0, in the second half.

“When Alpi gets going like that, I just keep feeding him,” VanVleet told RocketsWire after the game. “There was no one doubling him, so we just let him work in the paint.”

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, known to coach his players with tough love, allowed his rookie center to take on Sengun one-on-one — even though he knew Houston’s young center was effectively bullying Wembanyama the entire game.

“They were physical from the get-go until the end of the game,” Popovich said in his postgame press conference. “They came after it that way, and they played that way. They put us in the mud, and we didn’t respond very well, and you got the outcome.”

Popovich’s squad had entered with two straight wins, and both had come by double digits versus a pair of winning teams (Oklahoma City, Indiana). But winning in Houston proved more difficult.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, who played and coached for Popovich, wanted to see his team’s competitiveness and toughness carry over from two previous games in Phoenix, where his young players didn’t allow themselves to be bullied by a veteran-led Suns team. Houston set that tone Tuesday by taking the fight to the Spurs.

“Alpi and a bunch of others guarded exceptionally well in the second half, specifically Dillon on Wembanyama, to hold him scoreless in the second half,” Udoka said. “You don’t always get a lot of credit when you’re not scoring, but what he (Brooks) did for the game, the way he impacted it, I think it was great.”

“Fifteen steals and only 15 fouls, so we were playing physical, aggressive defense without fouling,” Udoka said. Those (19) turnovers for them turned into fast break points for us. So, a perfect formula.”

With the win, the Rockets (27-35) have won consecutive games for the first time in more than two months (Jan. 1, Jan. 3).

Houston will have limited time to celebrate its victory over the Spurs, as it  welcomes the Los Angeles Clippers to Toyota Center in ESPN’s nationally televised game on Wednesday night.

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Led by Ime Udoka, Rockets show physical, mental toughness in battles versus Suns

“It was good to see that fight and physicality,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said after Saturday’s win in Phoenix. “It was obviously night and day from the last game.”

PHOENIX — In an odd scheduling quirk with created three games against the same opponent in a nine-game span, the Houston Rockets had their mental and physical abilities challenged by the Suns. There was consistent trash talk from All-Star guard Devin Booker, whose words are almost as verbally abusive as his physical style of play.

Yet, the one thing the Suns may not have considered is this isn’t the same Rockets team from previous years. Those teams might have let Phoenix get away with some of those on-court bullying antics, which are meant to get inside the heads of opposing players and throw them off. However, this veteran-led Houston team quickly adopted a mindset and culture that no one would bully it.

Over those three games, Houston went 2-1 versus a high-powered offense led by Booker and Kevin Durant, and a Suns team (35-25) that ranks sixth in the Western Conference standings. More importantly, Saturday’s win broke a nine-game road losing streak.

“I like the fight; I like the intensity,” said Rockets guard Fred VanVleet. “We are a young team, and we have to use that energy to our advantage, and we are not getting punked by anybody, so that is definitely not going to happen. We bring that fight. If things get chippy, that means that both teams are playing hard.”

The back-and-forth between the two teams started last week in Houston when rookie Cam Whitmore and Booker engaged in a small skirmish that had been building throughout the game as both players took opportunities to exchange words up and down the court. One week later, the bad blood boiled over in Phoenix when the two engaged in another heated exchange during Thursday’s fourth quarter.

“I like it,” Booker said of Whitmore’s approach after the second incident. “I’ve been in these situations plenty of times before. I was that same, young player doing that same thing. I remember doing it to Jimmy Butler my rookie year, him going in the postgame talking about me. You never want to back down, and I respect going at a top player. You just gotta be ready for it.”

On Saturday, the Suns were back to their bullying tactics, with veteran guard Bradley Beal seeming to follow his teammates’ lead. This time, he was quickly ejected after getting into a shoving match with Houston’s Jalen Green, who was giving the Suns fits on his way to a second straight 34-point scoring outburst.

One game after Houston had its worst shooting performance of the season (33.7% FG) — and trailed by 16 points in the first quarter — they took control of Saturday’s game early by scoring 38 points in the first quarter. That set the tone for the remainder of the night.

“It was good to see that fight and physicality,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said postgame. “I think we had that from the start. It was obviously night and day from the last game, when we got off to a poor start. Tonight, we kind of jumped on them, and they had to struggle to come back. Everything they threw, we took it and made big plays when we had to. I loved our physicality and aggressiveness and throwing bodies around.”

Houston (26-34) goes home for a quick back-to-back against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday before heading back on the road this weekend.

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‘He did it all’: Rockets thrilled by Jalen Green’s winning plays in Phoenix

“He made some really nice reads and found guys wide open,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka says of Jalen Green. “He’s playing great lately.”

Leading into the recent All-Star break, Ime Udoka hinted at potentially replacing third-year guard Jalen Green in Houston’s starting lineup. But the Rockets’ head coach ultimately chose to stay the course, and he reaped the rewards in Phoenix.

Green, 22, averaged 34 points (43.1% FG, 44.8% on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.5 steals over those two games versus the Suns, which the Rockets split. The loss came by single digits. After Saturday’s victory, Udoka gave some love to his talented but often inconsistent prospect at shooting guard.

“He made some really nice reads tonight and found guys wide open,” Udoka said of Jalen Green, via ClutchFans. “He’s playing great lately.”

Veteran guard and backcourt Fred VanVleet largely echoed Udoka’s assessment of Green’s play in recent games.

“Last game, this game, he is finding his rhythm,” VanVleet said of Green’s recent production, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “He was aggressive. He guarded Bradley Beal. He is picking up full court. He got the moving screen late in the game, crucial call. He did it all. You got to give Jalen a ton of credit. He was huge for us tonight. He gave us that pop, playing with that confidence, and gave the rest of the team confidence.”

Green and the Rockets (26-34) hope to build on that momentum when they return home for a pair of games on Tuesday and Wednesday versus San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.

Houston is 20-10 at home this season.

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Takeaways: Rockets burn Suns as Jalen Green (34 points) stays hot

Jalen Green had another 34-point game in Phoenix, and in the rematch, he had enough support from teammates for Houston to win versus Kevin Durant and the Suns.

In the finale of two straight games in Phoenix between the Rockets and Suns, Jalen Green kept his momentum going on Saturday night.

And in contrast to Thursday’s close loss, Green had ample support from teammates in Saturday’s 118-109 victory (box score).

Key individual statistics in Houston’s win included:

  • Jalen Green: 34 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists; 12-of-23 shooting (52.2%), 6-of-12 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 24 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds; 8-of-14 shooting (53.3%), 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals; 9-of-21 shooting (42.9%)

As a team, the Rockets made 16-of-42 shots from 3-point range (38.1%), which outpaced the 9-of-29 night (31.0%) from Phoenix. For Green, it was his second straight game to score 34 points.

Houston (26-34) won for just the second time in six games out of the All-Star break, while Phoenix (35-25) saw its nine-game home winning streak end. Perennial All-Star Kevin Durant led the hosts with 30 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 12-of-19 overall (63.2%).

Unfortunately for the Rockets, Saturday’s news wasn’t all positive, as second-year forward Tari Eason was officially ruled out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season with a lower leg injury.

Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a home back-to-back versus the Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers, with Tuesday’s tip versus San Antonio at 7:00 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Jalen Green drops 34 points, but Rockets lack support in Phoenix

Jalen Green led the way with 34 points and a season-high seven 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to win on the road versus Devin Booker (35 points) and the Suns.

In the first of two straight games in the same building between the same teams, the Rockets couldn’t recapture their home form in Thursday’s 110-105 loss (box score) to the Phoenix Suns. With the loss, Houston (25-34) drops to a woeful 5-24 on the road this season.

Tari Eason remained sidelined with a lower left leg injury, and it appears quite possible that it could end his 2023-24 season. Bradley Beal and Eric Gordon were out with minor injuries for Phoenix.

The Suns lost in Houston last Friday, but led by Devin Booker, it was a very different story in Phoenix (35-24). The All-Star guard finished with a game-high 35 points on Thursday while shooting 13-of-27 from the field (48.1%), including 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%).

Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets, finishing with a team-high 34 points and 5 rebounds. Green’s shot faded as the game progressed and he shot just 10-of-27 (37.0%), though he did make 7-of-17 from 3-point range (41.2%) and all seven of his free-throw attempts.

But on the offensive end of the court, Green didn’t have enough help, and particularly not from distance. Other notable lines included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; 6-of-16 shooting (37.5%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 16 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 6 points, 8 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 0-of-6 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 6 fouls, ejected; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 14 points, 8 rebounds; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 0-of-5 on 3-pointers

As a team, the Rockets connected on just 33-of-99 shots (33.3%) and 11-of-45 from 3-point range (24.4%) on Thursday night.

On the positive side, Houston went +12 in 10 minutes with backup center Jock Landale, who tallied 8 points (50% FG) and 6 rebounds.

Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Saturday’s rematch from Footprint Center is up next, with the tip at 8 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. excels, but Chet Holmgren rallies Thunder past Rockets

In a battle of top 2022 draft picks, Jabari Smith Jr. had another 20-15 game, but Chet Holmgren scored 19 points in the fourth quarter and rallied the Thunder to a win.

HOUSTON — In a frontcourt duel between top picks from the 2022 NBA draft, Chet Holmgren of the Thunder and Jabari Smith Jr. of the Rockets put on quite a show Sunday at Toyota Center. But thanks in large part to Holmgren’s fourth-quarter flurry, Oklahoma City (40-17) maintained its position at the top of the Western Conference and rallied to a 123-110 road victory (box score).

Holmgren finished with 29 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks, shooting 11-of-16 from the field (68.8%) and 5-of-8 on 3-pointers (62.5%). For the No. 2 overall pick of the 2022 first round, his 19 fourth-quarter points set a Thunder rookie record (Holmgren is considered a rookie because he sat out last season due to injury).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an emerging MVP candidate, led the Thunder in scoring with 36 points while making 13-of-23 shots (56.5%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), and 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%).

Yet, the Rockets (25-32) were competitive most of the way thanks to a strong night from Smith, drafted one slot behind Holmgren at No. 3 in 2022. After sparking Houston’s victory Friday over Phoenix, Smith finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assists on Sunday, shooting 6-of-14 overall (42.9%) and 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%).

Smith has now had consecutive games with 20+ points and 15+ rebounds after not having any in his career before this stretch.

It was a fine statistical game for Smith’s frontcourt mate, Alperen Sengun, who finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 6-of-12 (50.0%). However, he also had a game-high 6 turnovers, and many of Sengun’s points and rebounds came late in the fourth quarter — after the game had largely been decided.

Other individual stat lines of note for the Rockets, who raced out to a 16-point lead midway through the second quarter, included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 20 points, 3 assists; 7-of-16 shooting (43.8%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers
  • Dillon Brooks: 13 points, 2 assists; 4-of-5 on 3-pointers (80.0%)

It was a mixed bag for Houston’s rookie duo of Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. Thompson had 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in 21 minutes while making some spectacular defensive plays. However, he shot just 2-of-10 (20.0%) and scored 6 points in 21 minutes.

Whitmore had 12 points and 3 rebounds while shooting 4-of-9 (44.4%) — but in contrast to Thompson, he struggled on defense.

Here’s our look at Sunday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up is Tuesday’s rematch in Oklahoma City, with tipoff at 9:00 p.m. Central.