The Houston Rockets finished winless on their three-game California road trip, in the state after Monday’s 121-116 (box score) loss to Golden State in the finale. The Rockets (6-6), who had won six consecutive games, have suddenly dropped three in a row. Meanwhile, the Warriors (7-8) snapped their six-game skid.
After a slump of late, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson broke out for the hosts with 32 and 20 points, respectively. Curry hit 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%), while Thompson made 5-of-11 (45.5%).
Unlike Houston’s first two games in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers, which were tied in the final 10 seconds, this one wasn’t nearly as close. Fatigue from a third game in four nights certainly didn’t help, and neither did Golden State’s shooting barrage: 21-of-43 (48.8%) from 3-point range.
Standout players for the Rockets were:
- Alperen Sengun: 30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists; 13-of-23 shooting (56.5%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), plus-6 in 37 minutes
- Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 14 assists, 5 rebounds; 3-of-13 shooting (23.1%), 1-of-8 on 3-pointers (12.5%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20%)
- Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 5 rebounds; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)
- Jalen Green: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-15 shooting (40%), 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%)
- Aaron Holiday: 13 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds; 4-of-5 shooting (80%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75%)
With Holiday playing well and Green struggling both as a shooter and on defense, the veteran played the entire fourth quarter in Green’s place — mostly alongside the other four starters.
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews from Monday night in San Francisco, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Wednesday’s home game versus Memphis, with the tip from Toyota Center set for 7 p.m. Central.
Nov. 20 Rockets-Warriors reaction
FINAL: Warriors 121, Rockets 116. 3rd straight loss for Houston, falling to 0-5 on the road. Rockets have been brilliant defending threes this year, but not tonight as GSW hits 21-43 (48.8%) from deep. Sengun 30-13, Jabari 17-10 and Brooks, FVV each score 16. Jalen Green…
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 21, 2023
Aaron Holiday in 28 minutes: +8
Jalen Green in 23 minutes: -13
Likely the answer
— AB (@aburnshoops) November 21, 2023
Warriors vs. #Rockets Thoughts:
1. Fred Vanvleet might be top-5 in assists per game this season if he keeps feeding Sengun
2. Alperen Sengun continues to dominate and is Houston’s go-to option on offense down the stretch. The kid scores at will
3. Jalen Green benched for the…
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 21, 2023
You know what, man? I'm proud of this team.
2nd Night of a B2B on the road. Best player is clearly injured. The opposing team shoots 21/43 from 3. And yet they fight until the final whistle, win the Sengun minutes, lose because of shooting luck and limited bench.
I'll take it.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 21, 2023
Pretty clear that Udoka is sending a message with Holiday over Green.
But whatever the case, not beating them in San Francisco when the Warriors shoot 3s like that.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 21, 2023
This is a really good point, so much is going right for the Warriors and wrong for the Rockets that it "feels" uncompetitive. But the margin has more or less stayed near 10.
I'm old enough to remember when "off nights" were quite a bit worse. https://t.co/5H85FHe2ha
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 21, 2023
Alperen Şengün went off again today:
30 PTS | 13 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK
13/23 FG
2/3 3PTThis was the 2nd highest scoring game of Şengün’s career. pic.twitter.com/BSVoNXyuQ2
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) November 21, 2023
Shoutout to Alperen for playing a fantastic game despite not feeling 100%.
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) November 21, 2023
I really feel like it would benefit Jabari staggering him with Sengun/FVV, if not coming off the bench. He could get more opportunities in the mid post. Hes not going to get those shots with Sengun/FVV together because those are better options and Jalen also needs to eat.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 21, 2023
Sengun is a reliable three-point shot away from being a Jokic-level problem offensively. Deep bag of moves, a good and willing passer. He's in that early Most Improved mix.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) November 21, 2023
When Jock Landale comes in it feels like one of those feel good news stories where a high school team will let the equipment manager get some run for the last few possessions as a reward for his service over the season. We really need Clint Capela.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 21, 2023
I supported the #Rockets playing Tari Eason vs LAL because of matchups. LAL is a big team.
But, in hindsight, the Rockets should have used Tari in the 2nd half of the B2B to mitigate the lack of energy and needing fresh bodies.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 21, 2023
Insane defensive recovery from Alperen Sengun. Wow. pic.twitter.com/dtqtWB2l2T
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 21, 2023
FRED VANVLEET pic.twitter.com/xC5eIwUbeA
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 21, 2023
Ime Udoka clearly unhappy after a Jalen Green pass into the 5th row pic.twitter.com/d7mXOC0TEz
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 21, 2023
Good news, this is an obvious outlier. Fred will be fine as a player, and the team should be far more similar to the previous eight games (6-2, two Ls on road to Lakers/Clippers and tied in final 10 seconds).
But man, please don't let FVV ever sprain an ankle or pull a hammy.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 21, 2023
Ime Udoka on why Jalen Green did not play in the fourth quarter: "The group that was in was playing better." He said he liked the spark that unit, with Aaron Holiday in, was giving the team.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 21, 2023
Ime Udoka on the #Rockets defense:
"We were poor on our coverages. If you make those mistakes against Golden State they make you pay. Our attention to detail wasn't the best."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 21, 2023
Rockets have lost to Harden/KL/PG, LeBron/AD, and Steph/Klay/CP and made them all work very hard to the W, this team will only continue to grow and get better and these close games will be one they'll win down the road
— Abel (@AbelGe87) November 21, 2023
Rockets put up a fight like they're going to do every single game, really great feeling knowing that they're never going to lay down and let any team roll over them regardless of their struggles or how hot the opposing team is, GS just wouldn't miss from 3 at all
— Abel (@AbelGe87) November 21, 2023
The only Rockets with
30+ PTS
10+ REB
5+ OREB
5+ AST
50+ FG%in a game since 2000. pic.twitter.com/ZodFENgnFp
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 21, 2023
Welp, #Rockets now (0-5) on the road after dropping all three games on this road trip. Close losses to Harden, Bron, & Steph. Houston doesn't have anyone on that level yet.#Rockets need to get the hell out of Cali immediately! Let's regroup back at the @ToyotaCenter this week.
— Stan M. Norfleet (@StanSportsMan) November 21, 2023
Aaron Holiday: 13 points on 4/5 FG
Jalen Green: 16 points on 6/15 FG https://t.co/YqGgmh3Rln
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 21, 2023
Today was the 155th game of Jalen Green's NBA career. It is the 8th time he's failed to log 24 minutes
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 21, 2023
Ime is a man of his word. Earlier it was Jabari not closing games with Jeff Green playing late and tonight Jalen only played 23 minutes while Aaron Holiday played 28
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 21, 2023
Stephen Curry couldn't miss in the Warriors' win over the Rockets 🎯
🔥 32 PTS
🔥 5 REB
🔥 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/86pxTy282L— NBA (@NBA) November 21, 2023
Rockets opponents have shot 43 more fts than the Rockets during this 3 game losing streak. The Rockets have loss the three games by a combined 12 points. The Rockets outscored the Warriors 56-18 in the paint. pic.twitter.com/eschNM0F3Y
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 21, 2023
The flashes of Jalen Green are too bright for anyone to consider “giving up” on him at age 21.
I’m glad a lot of y’all aren’t GMs, his ceiling is certainly worth the Rockets patience.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) November 21, 2023
I'd honestly play Jermaine Samuels as a small ball C over Landale right now. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 21, 2023
These pesky Rockets won't go away.
Playing some improved defense in these minutes, shoutout Dillon Brooks for setting the tone, and it's a single digit game.
15 Points for Jabari Smith who might be the Rockets best player tonight.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 21, 2023
The winning streak was spurred on by a long home stand. This losing streak on the road doesn’t feel like doom and gloom though. The guys are playing hard, competitive as hell.
Going to be a fun season. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/LDHW7TAHHN
— Jorge Flores (@jorgecflores22) November 21, 2023
Steph Curry has won 13 straight games against the Houston Rockets, dating back to Games 5 and 6 of the 2019 WCSF 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iMhGypwgA9
— Guru (@DrGuru_) November 21, 2023
Don’t agree with JG getting benched the entire 4th. That’s kinda wild especially after the 3rd he just had
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) November 21, 2023
Fred VanVleet ➡️ Alperen Sengun
This duo has the 2nd most assists to each other in the @nba this season#Rockets vs Warriors@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/uoa30lp6f9
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 21, 2023
#Rockets fall to the Warriors 121-116
Alperen Sengun 30 PTS / 13 REB / 5 AST@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/rHzGrzRsTt
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 21, 2023
