On the second stop of a four-game road trip, the short-handed Rockets ran out of steam in the second half in Tuesday’s 132-129 loss (box score) in Indiana. Houston (23-27) is now four games below .500 for the first time in the 2023-24 NBA season to date.
The Rockets scored 75 points in the first half and led by as many as 10, but their shooting cooled off significantly in a third quarter that the Pacers (29-23) won by a decisive 38-24 margin. Pascal Siakam led the way with 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting (68.8%).
Led by young guards Jalen Green and Amen Thompson, the Rockets fought back valiantly in Tuesday’s final minutes but couldn’t come any closer than three points during a frantic closing sequence. Houston finished the game on a 25-14 run over the final seven-plus minutes, including a 10-3 burst over the last three minutes.
Standout players for the Rockets included:
- Jalen Green: 30 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals; 12-of-20 shooting (60.0%), 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%)
- Amen Thompson: 13 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 1-of-4 on free throws (25.0%)
- Dillon Brooks: 23 points, 4 assists; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 20 points, 9 rebounds; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Alperen Sengun: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), 6-of-8 on free throws (75.0%)
Green has now scored at least 29 points in five of eight games.
Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both missed the game due to injury, although there is hope that both players could return within a week or so.
Here’s our look at Tuesday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Indiana, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the road trip continues with its back half, next up for Houston is Friday’s game at Toronto (17-33), where tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
Feb. 6 Rockets-Pacers reaction
Ime Udoka having a conversation with Aaron Holiday and Jalen Green headed into halftime. pic.twitter.com/yi6cmmh3BC
— reezy (@reezySZN) February 7, 2024
This might be the CRAZIEST highlight Alperen Şengün has had this season!
He just cooked Miles Turner. pic.twitter.com/kXNjflWp3n
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) February 7, 2024
Very fun, high-scoring game, but Rockets fall to four games under .500 for the first time this season. They are 0-3 this year without Fred VanVleet.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 7, 2024
Amen Thompson with on-ball pressure forcing the turnover pic.twitter.com/jNRHrc7FmH
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 7, 2024
Amen Thompson can defend as well. Terrific defense on the recovery here against Haliburton. pic.twitter.com/oHmYEgYBlv
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 7, 2024
Look at Amen Thompson attack the offensive glass for this tip slam! pic.twitter.com/sTlCHbvgpt
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 7, 2024
Another positive was Jalen Green continued great play. Another 30 point game and showed up in the 4th when it mattered pic.twitter.com/6pLPzGOHww
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 7, 2024
A couple of things. I did not like this switch at all. Amen should have stuck with Haliburton considering it wasn’t much of a pick and also there is no consistency on when a charge/block is called pic.twitter.com/TpHp1z2oOv
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 7, 2024
That's got to be either a charge or a block, you can't call nothing. Amen took the contact from Halliburton on the drive, either he was there in time or he wasn't, but can't be a no-call
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 7, 2024
I have no idea if he will ever develop a passable shot. What I do know is that despite that, Amen Thompson is going to be an absolute monster on both ends, very soon.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) February 7, 2024
Amen Thompson's defense is insane.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 7, 2024
Amen Thompson on the offensive glass is just RELENTLESS
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 7, 2024
You cannot play more than two non-shooters at the same time.
Any three (or more) of Jalen/Sengun/Amen/Tate/Jeff is a recipe for disaster.
Teams can help off the non-shooters (like just now on Jabari's drive) and make things incredibly difficult.
Zero floor spacing.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 7, 2024
Also the #Rockets kept up with the Pacers for three quarters, but you knew their offense would come crashing back down eventually.
Not enough offensive juice. https://t.co/ka72IS00cz
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 7, 2024
Jalen Green over his last 7 games:
– 24.6 PPG
– 6.3 RPG
– 3.9 APG
– 1.3 SPG
– 60.4 TSHe’s turning the corner in front of our eyes. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/1794F6RdXJ
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 7, 2024
Jabari Smith Jr. is cooking 🔥
At Halftime:
18 PTS
3 REB
8-10 FG
2-2 3PTThe most points he’s ever scored in the 1st half in his career. pic.twitter.com/a69risNVEW
— RocketsMuse (@RocketsMuse) February 7, 2024
Jabari Smith played 40 minutes
Rockets were +8 with Jabari
20 pts
9 Boards
As usual, when Jabari makes shots early, there's never an effort to continue working him in the offense— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) February 7, 2024
Amen Thompson tonight:
13 PTS
13 REB
6 AST
3 BLKJoins Wemby as the only rookies to reach those numbers in over 5 seasons. https://t.co/0G9QfMDWmt
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 7, 2024
Watch this sequence by Amen. The elite move on offense but stay with him on defense. He follows, switches, moves around a screen & gets the block on a 3. It’s way more impressive than the bucket on the other end! pic.twitter.com/5B5s7Hh7RH
— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) February 7, 2024
Jalen Green with his 4th 30+ point game in the last 7 games. 21 years old. That’s our Rockets shooting guard of the future. Don’t be dumb stone.
— Chris (@ChrisJMillan) February 7, 2024
Houston Rockets top 3 picks in tonight’s loss against Indiana:
Jalen: 30 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 68.93% TS%, +12 +/-
Jabari: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 62.97% TS%, +8 +/-
Amen: 13 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks pic.twitter.com/joDriFW5AZ
— Zay (@zayiceman171) February 7, 2024
#Rockets now (0-3) when Fred VanVleet doesn’t play. 🤷🏿♂️😔 https://t.co/dc9fENAd3z
— Stan M. Norfleet (@StanSportsMan) February 7, 2024
Pace makes a difference…That’s all Jalen was saying the other night after the Timberwolves loss. #Rockets #Sarge #RocketsWire
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) February 7, 2024
Amen Thompson is a winner just straight up. He is so smart his basketball IQ score has to be on the Mensa level. #Rockets
— Maya ♥️s 🚀🏀 (@RowdyMaya) February 7, 2024
Amen’s defense and Jalen’s offense are the reasons the Rockets have a chance to win this game. Full stop.
— Andrew Soukup (@asoukuptx) February 7, 2024
Jabari Smith is one of the most underrated players in the entire association. I don’t think people outside the #Rockets fanbase understand how good he’s been this year, and he hasn’t even grown into his NBA body yet.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 7, 2024
