It wasn’t quite enough to win on the road versus the NBA’s top team, but there was a lot to like from the young Rockets in Wednesday’s 124-121 loss (box score) at Phoenix. Houston led for much of the game, but Devin Booker led the way as the Suns pulled in front with a 35-26 fourth quarter.
With regular starters Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr. unexpectedly out due to stomach illnesses, rookie Alperen Sengun and newly acquired veteran Dennis Schroder took advantage of a rare opportunity to start and kept the Rockets quite competitive versus an elite opponent.
Ultimately, Booker (24 points, 8 rebounds) had just enough to survive as Phoenix improved to 47-10, but Schroder’s 23 points and 9 assists — many to Sengun, who had a career-high 19 points and 14 rebounds — kept the Rockets in it until the final seconds. Sengun hit 7-of-11 shots (63.6%) from the field, including 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%).
