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

Reaction: Cam Whitmore leads frantic rally as Rockets fall just short in Brooklyn

Cam Whitmore Rockets Brooklyn (Organization) Ime Udoka Houston (Organization) Jalen Green Jeff Green Nets Alperen Sengun Alperen Şengün

In night two of a road back-to-back, the Rockets couldn’t overcome a nightmarish start in Saturday’s 106-104 loss at Brooklyn (box score). The Nets (18-27) led by 28 points in a dominant first half before an epic Houston comeback cut the lead to one in the closing seconds, only to have Alperen Sengun miss one of two free throws when he had a chance to tie the game with 2.4 seconds left.

Had Houston finished off its rally, the 28-point turnaround would have been the greatest comeback in franchise history.

As it is, it’s the latest chapter in an underwhelming January for the Rockets. Houston (21-24) is now 4-9 in its last 13 games, and they are just 5-16 in road games for the 2023-24 season to date.

Rookie guard Cam Whitmore played a key role in Houston’s fourth-quarter lineup, which trimmed a 20-point lead early in the quarter to as little as a point in those frantic final seconds. After posting career-highs in points and rebounds in Friday’s win, Whitmore was nearly as good Saturday with a team-high 19 points and 9 rebounds, including 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%) and 4-of-4 on free throws.

Jalen Green (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Dillon Brooks (19 points, 5 rebounds) tied Whitmore for the scoring lead, and Green hit 4-of-9 from 3-point range (44.4%). With Sengun struggling to make his usual impact versus the length and athleticism of Nic Claxton, Rockets coach Ime Udoka went small for much of the final minutes and trusted a lineup comprised of Green, Whitmore, and three proven defensive players in Brooks, Fred VanVleet, and Jae’Sean Tate.

The closing seconds also featured controversy when Green appeared to tie up third-year guard Cam Thomas with just over five seconds left to play. Had a jump ball been called, the Rockets would have had an opportunity to secure possession and win the game with any made shot. Instead, the official whistled Green for a foul, and Thomas hit both free throws to push the lead back to three.

With Cam Johnson (personal reasons) out for Brooklyn, Thomas stepped into his starting lineup slot and made quite an impression, finishing with a game-high 37 points on 11-of-19 shooting (57.9%). He hit 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%) and 12-of-15 free throws (80.0%).

For Houston, second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both remained out, though head coach Ime Udoka said Saturday that he was hopeful that Smith would be able to return for Houston’s next game.

Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is Monday’s opener of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center versus the Los Angeles Lakers (23-23). Tipoff of that game, which could be crucial in a tight standings race for Western Conference play-in tournament spots, is set for 7:00 p.m. Central.

Jan. 27 Rockets-Nets reaction

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