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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Alperen Sengun dominates, Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson break out as Rockets rip Nets

Cam Whitmore Amen Thompson Alperen Sengun Rockets Nets Brooklyn (Organization) Ben DuBose Fred VanVleet Houston Space City Home Network

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

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