HOUSTON — On the second night of a difficult back-to-back at Toyota Center, the severely short-handed Rockets (20-22) couldn’t quite keep pace with the loaded Boston Celtics (33-10) in a 116-107 loss (box score). But the home team didn’t go down without a fight.
Despite trailing by double digits most of the way, Houston kept pushing and came within a possession on multiple trips in the fourth quarter. However, the Rockets couldn’t get a final breakthrough.
Big man Kristaps Porzingis led Boston with 32 points and 5 blocks, and he made 6-of-11 from 3-point range (54.5%). He was countered by Houston’s Alperen Sengun, who had 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the third triple-double of his NBA career. Sengun made 10-of-18 shots (55.6%) and all four of his free throws.
Houston was without Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management), Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain), Fred VanVleet (lower back tightness), Jeff Green (left calf soreness) and Reggie Bullock (lower back pain). Back-to-back considerations played a role in some of those decisions, according to head coach Ime Udoka.
Given those absences, Houston had its pair of highly drafted rookies — Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore — make their first NBA starts. Thompson played well with 15 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists, making 5-of-10 shots (50%) and 5-of-6 free throws (83.3%).
For Whitmore, it was a struggle with 5 points and 4 rebounds on 2-of-7 shooting (28.6%). He went 0-of-2 on free throws when the Rockets were down only three points in the closing minutes.
Dillon Brooks led Houston with 25 points and 4 steals, making 5-of-15 from 3-point range (33.3%), and his defense helped limit Celtics star Jayson Tatum to just 18 points on 4-of-17 shooting (23.5%).
Jalen Green and Aaron Holiday each had 5 assists and 4 rebounds while scoring 16 and 12 points, respectively. Both were stepping into larger-than-usual roles in the absence of VanVleet.
Here’s our look at Sunday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Toyota Center, along with reaction by media members and fans. Now 1-1 on a three-game homestand, Houston wraps it up on Wednesday versus Portland (12-29), with tipoff set for 7 p.m. Central.
Jan. 21 Rockets-Celtics reaction
Rockets lose 116-107. I had fun, at least.
Alperen Sengun had a 22 point triple double and Amen Thompson put up 13 points, 13 boards and 5 assists. They worked well together. Holiday had 12 off the bench.
Never had a real chance. Onto the next one
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 22, 2024
Sengun and Amen. That's the 2 man game. That's the 2 man game. That's the future.
Like Jokic and Gordon.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 22, 2024
Alperen Sengun with his first triple-double of the season tonight vs. the Celtics and the third of his careerpic.twitter.com/XEQse2ftCd
— RotoBaller NBA (@RotoBallerNBA) January 22, 2024
Rough night for the #Rockets
Second night of a b2b after a hard-fought win against Utah.
Poor defensive effort from everyone except Dillon and Amen.
Offense was all over the place without having VanVleet to steady things.
And yet… They were still kinda in the game?
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 22, 2024
Cam fits. Bari fits. Tari fits. The thing I’m most curious to see right now are Amen and Sengun playing off each other, particularly given this team’s current identity is Fred operating the pick and roll. How do we adjust with teams going under on Amen given his lack of shooting?…
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) January 21, 2024
Dillon played 35 mins last night, Alpi played 42 and somehow they still had the juice to play another 40 for Dillon and 36 for Alpi, get these guys in ice and give them a day off
— Abel (@AbelGe87) January 22, 2024
Amen Thompson in his first career start:
– 15 PTS
– 13 REB (3 OREB)
– 5 AST
– 1 STL
– 5/10 FG
– 5/6 FT
– 59.3 TSPoint guard of the future.#Rockets pic.twitter.com/cPV6kpuswg
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) January 22, 2024
Rockets have a sleeping giant in Amen Thompson. When he puts it all together…
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) January 22, 2024
Amen Thompson made his first career start tonight and put up 15 points to go with 14 rebounds and 5 assists!
Here are Amen and Coach Udoka's thoughts on his performace. pic.twitter.com/bkk74uyUtd
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 22, 2024
When asked if Cam Whitmore will go back to RGV this season, Coach Udoka says “most likely not, with the way he’s been playing.”
Also said “he’s earned it.”
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) January 21, 2024
So we're all seeing Nate Williams' defense on Tatum right??
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) January 22, 2024
Kristaps Porzingis handled business in the Celtics' win against the Rockets 🦄
32 PTS
6 REB
6 3PM
5 BLK pic.twitter.com/ce1nUsA6Ef— NBA (@NBA) January 22, 2024
