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%).
Alperen Sengun in his fifth career start:
19 points (ties career-high)
14 rebounds (career-high)
3 assists
2 steals
1 block7/11 FG
3/4 3FG (career-high)
2/2 FTGreat night from Al-P.
Future ⭐️
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 17, 2022
Jae’Sean Tate added 22 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%) for the Rockets, while Jalen Green scored 17 points and hit 3-of-7 from 3-point range (42.9%). In the end, it was still a sixth straight loss for Houston (15-42), and the Rockets remain at the bottom of the Western Conference. But in stark contrast to recent games, there were clear signs of life and reasons for optimism in the games ahead.
Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction from Wednesday night.
