There was a basketball game for the Houston Rockets on Sunday in Denver, even if the day will be remembered most for the intense emotions following the shocking death of NBA icon Kobe Bryant.
At 41 years old, Bryant died with eight others — including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna — in a tragic helicopter crash near Los Angeles, where he played for 20 seasons with the Lakers. In those years from 1996 through 2016, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion; a two-time MVP and scoring champion; and an 18-time All-Star.
Bryant is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and three other daughters.
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As for Sunday’s game, which reserve guard Austin Rivers said was tough to play, the Rockets (28-17) lost to the Denver Nuggets (32-14) by a 117-110 margin (box score). Houston had a nine-point lead after the first quarter and led by two at halftime, but they were unable to hold on.
Austin Rivers: "This was tough. I don't know how we played today. I would start thinking about the game, and it would just snap back into my mind."
"Now we have to play tomorrow, and I'm sure Utah will do a tribute, and this pain isn't going to go away any time soon."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 26, 2020
Russell Westbrook led the way with 32 points and seven assists, but the Rockets were shorthanded with James Harden (bruised thigh) out injured. Unfortunately, Harden is also doubtful for Monday’s game at Utah, which Westbrook is already set to miss since he played Sunday.
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Sunday’s loss was tough for the Rockets in the Western Conference standings. The result puts them three games behind the Nuggets in the loss column, and it also allowed Denver to tie the season series between the teams at two games apiece.
A W was important for the Rockets today. It didn’t happen.
However, it pales in comparison to the news we received right before tip-off.
So many of our players knew Kobe – played w/ him, against him, idolized him, loved him.
So proud of their heart and their effort today.
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) January 26, 2020
Had the Rockets won, they would have trailed the Nuggets by just one game in the loss column, along with possession of the tiebreaker. Now, they’re three back, and Denver is well positioned to have any eventual tiebreaker, since the next criteria is conference record. At the moment, Denver has seven losses to West teams, compared to 13 for Houston.
CORRECTION:
Nuggets best Houston 117-110.
The Nuggets and Rockets are now tied with 2 wins apiece in head to head matchups which means this tie breaker will go to conference record.
Denver is 20-7 in their conference while Houston is 17-13.
(H/T @BenDuBose)
— T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) January 26, 2020
Eric Gordon (19), Ben McLemore (15), Rivers (13), and Danuel House Jr. also scored in double figures for the Rockets.
Meanwhile, reigning All-Star center Nikola Jokic was the clear star for the Nuggets with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Without Westbrook and most likely without Harden, the Rockets now travel to Utah for the second half of the back-to-back. Houston will be significant underdogs versus the Jazz (32-13), who have won 19 of their last 21 games. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. Central time on Monday,