After hearing some postgame criticism from head coach Ime Udoka following Wednesday’s loss, third-year Houston Rockets big man Alperen Sengun immediately bounced back with one of his best career games in Friday’s 122-96 rout of Dallas (box score).
The Mavericks (16-12) were short-handed, with superstar guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both sidelined by injury. But it was a needed win for the host Rockets (14-12), who snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the 12th time in 13 games at Toyota Center.
Sengun finished with a team-high 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets in under 25 minutes played, making 8-of-12 shots (66.7%), 1-of-1 from 3-point range, and a perfect 5-of-5 on free throws.
Other noteworthy Rockets performances included:
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 21 points, 8 rebounds; 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)
- Jalen Green: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%), 4-of-4 on free throws
- Cam Whitmore: 14 points, rebounds, 2 steals in 14 minutes; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%)
- Amen Thompson: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%)
Whitmore was recalled from the NBA G League earlier in the day. He and fellow rookie Amen Thompson, both drafted in the 2023 first round, each played the entire fourth quarter after Houston grabbed a massive third-quarter lead that ballooned to as large as 38 points.
With Doncic and Irving out, the Mavs were led by 16 points from veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. — who was held to just 6-of-20 shooting (30.0%) and 2-of-8 from 3-point range (25.0%).
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Friday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is night two of a back-to-back on Saturday night in New Orleans. Tipoff versus the Pelicans (17-12) is at 6:00 p.m. Central.
Dec. 22 Rockets-Mavs reaction
Ime Udoka said it was beneficial on two fronts to have this game be an early blowout — Fred VanVleet and the starters get some rest while the young guys like Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore get experience and run.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 23, 2023
Alpi could have easily gone for 40 tonight but, like the unselfish team player he is, deferred to Jalen in the third to go along with Ime’s plan to try to get him going. Doesn’t care about his stats.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) December 23, 2023
Excellent, perfect win by the Rockets against the Mavs' G league team in the first night of a back to back.
Terrific games by Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore flashed a lot of the bench.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 23, 2023
Play Cam Whitmore.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) December 23, 2023
Ime Udoka said he can see Jabari Smith Jr's confidence growing, saying he's more assertive in finding good shots and is "relentless" on the offensive glass.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 23, 2023
Jabari and Sengun are carrying the #Rockets right now
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 23, 2023
Ime Udoka says it's a "numbers crunch more than anything" as to why Cam Whitmore doesn't get real rotation play. He says they have a logjam at the wing position.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 23, 2023
Obviously the Mavs were short-handed, but I think my biggest takeaway from tonight is how Alperen Sengun responded after being (somewhat) called out by Ime Udoka in Wednesday's postgame.
Always a great sign to see a young guy respond to constructive criticism in the right way
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 23, 2023
#Rockets beat the Mavs 122-96
Alperen Sengun 22 PTS & 15 REB@SportsVanessa with @alperennsengun after the WIN@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/rfwKayg3ng
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 23, 2023
This angle is ridiculous. Cam had to duck UNDER the backboard after the lob 🤯pic.twitter.com/YVoohXJEvg
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 23, 2023
Cam may not have hit his threes, but he finished at the rim with ease, dude can get there just about whenever he wants
— Abel (@AbelGe87) December 23, 2023
Rockets should be relatively fresh for tomorrow's game, thankfully this did in fact turn into a laugher as it should be, need Alpi and Jabari to save some of this for the Pels 😅
— Abel (@AbelGe87) December 23, 2023
Jabari’s in season leap is damn near miraculous given where he was last year
— Apathetic (@ftank58) December 23, 2023
What if Sengun can do this offensively on a nightly basis.. I think when he’s 24 this will be his baseline against most of the league .. 3 summers to get stronger l, smarter and more skilled
— Apathetic (@ftank58) December 23, 2023
This is typically what young stars rely on early in their careers until they become good enough shooters to become efficient from behind the arc. It’s the reason Jalen games are just so poor all around. Finishing at the rim isnt good enough along with him not being a good shooter https://t.co/zBlFKrxYfu
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) December 23, 2023
Rockets starting lineup of the future could be huge and physical if it’s Cam and Amen in the backcourt, Tari eventually replaces Dillon, and Jabari continues maturing physically.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) December 22, 2023
#Rockets coach Ime Udoka on the chemistry between Alperen Şengün & Jabari Smith Jr. pic.twitter.com/1uKUusj2XP
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) December 23, 2023
They love Cam Whitmore in this building. Great energy all around.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 23, 2023
The #Rockets point guard of the future. pic.twitter.com/vo6IXHIWNz https://t.co/GcwkNPlpCP
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) December 23, 2023
#Rockets Jalen Green finished with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals vs. the Mavericks.
Ime Udoka on Green’s ongoing development into an all-around player. pic.twitter.com/lb3PJSK2bK
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) December 23, 2023
Tonight, we celebrate Nigerian Heritage Night and hometown pride! 🇳🇬🤘
@BunBTrillOG & @chiney Ogwumike linked up in an exclusive interview, about life, her Nigerian background, and the undeniable love she has for H-Town.Full interview » https://t.co/trbfrqKm1I pic.twitter.com/vXqQ3e1PfM
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 22, 2023
After the #Rockets 122-96 win vs the Mavs on Nigerian Heritage Night, a star-studded panel incl. HC Ime Udoka, @WNBA star, @espn @NBA analyst & Houstonian @chiney Ogwumike & Hakeem Olajuwon hosting a Q&A w/ fans. Her sister Nneka & Rockets @alperennsengun are here listening in. pic.twitter.com/4sX8ucOko4
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) December 23, 2023
Cam Whitmore tonight in the #Rockets win over DAL
🚀14 MIN
🚀14 PTS
🚀4 REB
🚀2 STLHe met with the media after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/MyVixu9W8k
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 23, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. having the combination of strength and fluidity to finish that driving layup through contact, going to his left, is something I don't think he could've done even a month or two ago.
Getting better every week.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 23, 2023
Jabari Smith is just a menace on the glass these days.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 23, 2023
Jabari Smith’s ability to drive through contact and actually get all the way to the rim is night and day from last year. Just a massive improvement
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) December 23, 2023
#Rockets Jabari Smith Jr. tonight vs Dallas
🏀21 PTS🏀8 REB🏀He met with the media after the @HoustonRockets 122-96 win over Dallas pic.twitter.com/CAFIDGHisw
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 23, 2023
Nigerian excellence 🤝🏾🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/rmmgeT5m0O
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 23, 2023
