HOUSTON — Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson, the duo of highly drafted rookies from the 2023 first round, had their best combined performance yet as the Rockets rallied past the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 112-101 (box score), on Wednesday at Toyota Center.
Houston (17-15) won its second straight, while Brooklyn (15-20) lost for the 10th time in 12 games. The Rockets trailed by five midway through the third quarter, but led by star center Alperen Sengun, they took the lead and never looked back. Sengun bolstered his All-Star push with a game-high 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting (64.7%), and he also tallied 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in his 34 minutes.
For Houston, which was without two key rotation players in Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness), it was the emergence of the rookies — who haven’t played large roles so far this season — that could offer the most promise.
Whitmore finished 11 points, 2 steals, and 2 rebounds in 17 minutes, shooting 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%). Thompson added 10 points and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes. Both also provided value defensively with considerable length, athleticism, and versatility.
Mikal Bridges scored 15 points for the Nets on just 5-of-18 shooting (27.8%) and 3-of-12 from 3-point range (25.0%), reflecting a strong defensive effort by many of Houston’s perimeter players.
It was a relatively solid night for Houston’s starting backcourt, though Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green did have four turnovers apiece.
Key statistics for the backcourt duo included:
- VanVleet: 21 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds; 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%), 6-of-8 on 3-pointers (75.0%)
- Green: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists; 5-of-15 shooting (33.3%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
It was a blistering night from 3-point range for the Rockets, who connected on 19-of-39 (48.7%) against the Nets.
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Wednesday was Houston’s fifth game of a season-long homestand at Toyota Center, which concludes with a challenging back-to-back on Friday and Saturday versus Minnesota and Milwaukee. Tipoff of both is at 7:00 p.m. Central.
Jan. 3 Rockets-Nets reaction
Jabari and Fred with the dagger 3s, #Rockets up 18.
Houston improves to 17-15, Brooklyn falls to 15-20 with their 10th loss in 12 games.
Looking very possible that the Nets could be sending Houston a Top 10 draft pick this year
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2024
Nets are going to drop their 10th game in the last 12 and fall to 15-20.
A lot can change with the trade deadline not too far away, but the Rockets could be receiving a lottery pick this year from Brooklyn.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 4, 2024
Ime Udoka was impressed by the minutes Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore gave him tonight. On Cam: "Overall he's grasping the concepts much better and his awareness is better."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 4, 2024
Alperen Sengun with another 30-piecepic.twitter.com/a3QfvtIBlX
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 4, 2024
Like I said the other night, I'd be fascinated to see an experiment where the team fed Alpi every single trip down, to see the resulting offensive rating. He looks right now like he could score on every possession.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) January 4, 2024
Alperen Sengun over his last 10:
25.5 PPG
9.1 RPG
5.2 APG
1.5 SPG
65.7% TSHe is a PROBLEM
And he’s younger than a lot of rookies #Rockets pic.twitter.com/6La6n1pqMS
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 4, 2024
Rockets beat the Nets 112-101 for a win that counts for twice as much.
Impressive that they did so without their 3rd most impactful player. But maybe the Nets are just bad.
Another 30 piece for Sengun, 21/10 on incredible efficiency from FVV, Cam & Amen were in double figures.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 4, 2024
Fred VanVleet tonight:
21 Points
6 Rebounds
10 Assists
2 Blocks
7-9 FG
6-8 3PT
1-2 FT
106.3 TS%
+24 (game-high)Was so efficient that he broke math. Worth every penny. pic.twitter.com/t6xER4HMD6
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 4, 2024
Brooklyn is going to give Hou a very high lottery pick, it's crazy because as bad as the Russ trade was for Hou, the damage will be largely mitigated thanks to the Brooklyn picks and because the swap didn't convey in 2021
— Abel (@AbelGe87) January 4, 2024
Sengun tonight:
30 PTS
8 REB
11-17 FGThe first Rockets center with 5+ 30-point games in a season since Dwight Howard. https://t.co/TFCEe6nmlN
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 4, 2024
Rockets Starting Lineup Tonight:
• 26 Minutes
• +13
• 25.5 Net Rating
• 127.5 Offensive Rating
• 102 Defensive Rating pic.twitter.com/7byRLxsVm3— PivotFade (@PivotFade) January 4, 2024
Ime Udoka on Cam Whitmore's progress: "He looks sharp, in shape. Even in the blowout minutes that he's been playing, you can see everything start to slow down for him. Shot selection is great. He's making quick decisions. Defensively, everybody makes a few mistakes, but overall… pic.twitter.com/pjFZBRSYJ6
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 4, 2024
Amen Thompson 📈
Cam Whitmore 📈#Rockets https://t.co/hoD5TBt1q3— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) January 4, 2024
Talked about this earlier today on 790, the #Rockets defense will look better in some ways if Amen and Cam prove worthy of minutes.
Even though they're rookies, their length and athleticism is something this team needs more of, particularly without Dillon and Tari
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2024
AMEN THOMPSON BURIES A 3 AT THE BUZZER#Rockets up 12. What a stretch for the rookies!
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2024
The Nets are seeking out Sengun on switches, and it is NOT working
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2024
#Rockets beat the Nets 112-101
Amen Thompson 🏀10 PTS🏀6 REB🏀@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/MOKhwrsEPo
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
#Rockets beat the Nets 112-101
Fred VanVleet –
🏀21 PTS🏀10 AST🏀6 REB🏀
🏀6 3-POINTERS🏀2 BLK🏀He spoke with our @SportsVanessa after the WIN@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/ZiJ9oB0M4j
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
Amen Thompson 3⃣ ✔️
Fred VanVleet Block 🚫✔️#Rockets vs Nets@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/EEJmckS92k— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
This was a super fulfilling game on several levels — the Brooklyn draft situation, rookies breaking out — but I think what felt best was the way the #Rockets won it.
The Nets are somewhat 2010-12 Rockets like, in that there are many solid players, they play hard, but nothing…
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2024
Cam Whitmore hits his second three of the night pic.twitter.com/4kxwK7Kvrt
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 4, 2024
Udoka credits adjustments and “words of encouragement” with a grin as the key to Houston’s recent 3Q bursts.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) January 4, 2024
#Rockets WIN 112-101
Cam Whitmore tonight vs Nets
🚀11 PTS🚀2 REB🚀2 STL🚀@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/L3uvjBsTXn— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
Last week @AlperennSengun said “Vanessa do you remember when I told you it was my goal to be an All Star this year?”
I said “Yes, I remember!”
The video from October ⬇️
Vote, y’all. The Wizard deserves it 🫶 pic.twitter.com/F4FGB1GHmE
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) January 4, 2024
Fred VanVleet on Whitmore’s growth.
“The more he plays, the better he plays. The sky’s the limit for him.” pic.twitter.com/6yB4Nua7La
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 4, 2024
Some fans are trying to start MVP chants with Alperen Sengun at the line
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2024
It's hard to sustain over an entire season, but when Houston hits 3s at this rate and plays with pace, it's hard to keep up — especially if they're defending in unison like they have tonight. 107-89 over Brooklyn with 4:43 to go.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) January 4, 2024
"Superstar in the making, we're watching it unfold before our eyes" – FVV on Sengun
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) January 4, 2024
Cam Whitmore deserves a round of his applause for his defense.
Ime has already turned that guy into someone with a passion for defense, whew
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 4, 2024
#Rockets veteran Fred VanVleet to @SportsVanessa on Alperen Sengun (@alperennsengun):
“Superstar in the making. We’re watching it unfold right before our eyes. He’s getting better every day. It’s been a joy to play with him and watch him.”
All-Star.https://t.co/Qqaj44t8s4
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2024
#Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore tonight vs Brooklyn
16 MINUTES
11 POINTS
3 3-POINTERS
2 REBOUNDS
2 STEALS@HoustonRockets WIN 112-101 pic.twitter.com/FTdg2n9Dn6— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
Alperen Sengun 7⃣-straight games with 20+ PTS
Alpi with 3⃣0⃣ tonight vs Brooklyn@HoustonRockets WIN 112-101 pic.twitter.com/HXge7kQfn0
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
Last Whitmore note of the night. Fun one here as he discusses his player comp:
“Myself … But I would say Russell Westbrook. [He’s] somebody I grew up watching. But younger Russell Westbrook.”
Is Whitmore as athletic as young Russ?
“Yes. Hard to debate. Very good debate.” pic.twitter.com/d7B0A724g6
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 4, 2024
