Rookie big man Alperen Sengun had the best scoring night of his young NBA career, leading Houston to a 115-98 victory (box score) at Portland on Saturday night. With the win, the Rockets (20-55) swept the injury-ravaged Trail Blazers (27-47) in a weekend back-to-back, and it represents Houston’s first streak of consecutive victories since January.
Sengun scored 27 points in under 26 minutes, making 10-of-16 shots (62.5%) overall. He also collected 7 rebounds and dished out 3 assists.
Fellow rookie Jalen Green stayed hot, scoring 25 points in 32 minutes on 6-of-11 from 3-point range (54.5%). Green, the No. 2 pick from the 2021 NBA draft, was Friday’s leading scorer. Backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. had a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 assists.
The Trail Blazers were again led by power forward Trendon Watford, who scored a team-high 15 points in 30 minutes on 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%). He also added 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Unfortunately, Watford left the game early with a leg injury in the fourth quarter.
After starting in Friday’s win, Eric Gordon did not play for the Rockets on Saturday, as has become customary for him on part of all back-to-backs. After going winless in Gordon’s first 17 absences, Houston picked up its first victory of the 2021-22 season without its veteran guard.
Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.
