In their first game coming out of the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-31) continued their road misery with Thursday’s 127-105 loss (box score) in New Orleans. Houston is 5-22 away from home this season and has lost six of its last seven, overall, while the Pelicans (34-22) won for the eighth time in nine games.
Houston’s frontcourt of Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. struggled to offer much resistance against the bruising, physical front line of Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson.
Key statistics for the Pelicans included:
- Valanciunas: 20 points, 14 rebounds in 27 minutes; 9-of-12 shooting (75%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers
- Williamson: 27 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals in 35 minutes; 12-of-21 shooting (57.1%)
- C.J. McCollum: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists in 31 minutes; 11-of-22 shooting (50%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40%)
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 20 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 6-of-9 from the field (66.7%). However, many of those statistics were tallied in the second half of a blowout, and his defense against Valanciunas left much to be desired.
On the perimeter, it was another subpar shooting night for Jalen Green, who finished with 10 points in 24 minutes while shooting 3-of-14 from the field (21.4%) and 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25%).
Rookie guard Amen Thompson was the bright spot for Houston, finishing with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%) and 1-of-3 from 3-point range (33.3%). The athletic 6-foot-7 reserve also stuffed the stat sheet with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.
Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remained sidelined for the Rockets, who have not seen their versatile second-year forward play since Jan. 1. Houston is 12-10 with Eason this season and 12-21 without him. Brandon Ingram (illness) was out for the Pelicans.
Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Fortunately for the Rockets, next up is Friday’s game versus Phoenix at Toyota Center, where Houston is 19-9 this season. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.
Feb. 22 Rockets-Pelicans reaction
Zion bullied Dillon, JV bullied Alpi, Rockets played like a scared team
— Abel (@AbelGe87) February 23, 2024
It's been a rough first game back for Fred VanVleet.
Four turnovers is incredibly uncharacteristic. Pelicans defensive length really bothering him.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 23, 2024
Alperen Sengun is getting eaten alive by Jonas Valanciunas right now.
No answer for him.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 23, 2024
Sengun defense has been pathetic
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) February 23, 2024
#Rockets traded for Steven Adams for games like this. Next season.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) February 23, 2024
Amen Thompson with an INSANE and-1 finish! pic.twitter.com/9OA5wkzfCM
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 23, 2024
The Rockets perform like the worst team in the league on the road, not sure why this happened, but it should be studied
— Abel (@AbelGe87) February 23, 2024
Enough dropping Sengun. Hedge. Play at the level. If Sengun is in drop against guys who score in the in between area or through him, you're asking to get scored on.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 23, 2024
The Rockets are playing hard
They’re just completely outmatched, and everything is going right for the Pels
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) February 23, 2024
He's upset about the officials not calling a delay of game, but I guarantee watching his team get overwhelmed physically by Zion and Valanciunas is driving him up the wall right now https://t.co/S6de3CdDwV
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 23, 2024
Rockets down 20. Valanciunas has been a thorn in Houston's side all night. 20 points, 11 rebounds on 9-for-12 shooting. Just lacking the personnel to compete with that frontcourt's physicality.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 23, 2024
After tonight, HOU faces PHX, OKC, OKC, PHX, PHX. Just an insane schedule post All-Star break. https://t.co/gGmcPao5fl
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 23, 2024
Amen Thompson recovers and blocks CJ McCollum's three. pic.twitter.com/k7WeYqp3Xr
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 23, 2024
The fact that the Rockets are shooting the 3 well and are still down 25 is astounding.
This game has been damning.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 23, 2024
Sengun's not a good basketball player right now. When you get worked by Jonas Valančiūnas & can't make FT's, it's an issue
— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) February 23, 2024
One interesting aspect of this game was that Jae'Sean Tate was a DNP for the first three quarters
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 23, 2024
In other news — Amen Thompson looks good tonight. Just recorded his third block and hit a wing 3. 18 points for the rookie.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 23, 2024
No need to blame just one person tonight because the entire starting lineup has been bad all night
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 23, 2024
Rockets gave given up.
And i can’t blame them. Whatever they’re doing isn’t working and they need to do something different in order to evoke some confidence from the team.
— JLS IV (@Slotter) February 23, 2024
Ime Udoka has every right to be furious with his team (and himself) tonight. This is the effort you put up coming out of the ASB⁉️Gives me vibes of the 30-point 🤬 whoopin @ ORL to start the season. In a word…DISTURBING. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/7AZuWVu5nV
— Stan M. Norfleet (@StanSportsMan) February 23, 2024
Looks like Zion Williamson is done for the night. He'll finish with 26 points, 8 assists and 2 steals in 31 minutes.
He has 24 points in the paint. The Rockets have 28.
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) February 23, 2024
Valanciunas and Bullock hit with techs. https://t.co/YO6F5cPW1y
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 23, 2024
Herb talkin to Ime Udoka. This is getting out of hand 😭 pic.twitter.com/9JFhA41dJN
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) February 23, 2024
Watching Amen Thompson never fails to make me smile. What a talent.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 23, 2024
Amen Thompson tonight:
22 PTS (career high)
5 REB
4 AST
3 BLK (career high)
9/13 FGBy far the best #Rockets player tonight. pic.twitter.com/4vMj5bIcol
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) February 23, 2024
The #Rockets are now 5-22 on the road this season.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) February 23, 2024
Jonas Valanciunas in his last 2 games vs the Rockets…
22.5 PPG
14.0 RPGJVal in his last 2 games vs Steven Adams…
5.0 PPG
4.5 RPGThe Rockets have the perfect player to solve their bruiser big defensive issues… but you’d have to minute match (i.e start him in those games)
— Steven Adams Stats (@funakistats) February 23, 2024
The #Rockets starting lineup was -13 in 15:52 minutes tonight.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 23, 2024
Rockets lose 127-105. Awful showing after the all star break.
They had no answers for the Pelicans on both ends of the floor. Amen was elite, Sengun was very good offensively, and that's kinda it.
Back at it tomorrow against Phoenix. Wish them luck, they'll need it.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 23, 2024
Ping pong balls. https://t.co/m7PhnzqnlK
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) February 23, 2024
Amen Thompson in his last 6 games:
13 PTS – 13 REB – 6 AST – 3 BLK
8 PTS – 9 REB – 4 AST – 1 STL
12 PTS – 11 REB – 1 AST – 1 STL
8 PTS – 13 REB – 5 AST – 5 STL
19 PTS – 12 REB – 3 AST – 2 STL
22 PTS – 5 REB – 4 AST – 3 BLK10000% becomes a superstar if he develops a jumper. pic.twitter.com/SeFrmBrn7Z
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) February 23, 2024
Houston Rockets get thoroughly smacked around in their 1st game after the NBA All-Star break losing to the New Orleans Pelicans 127-105.
Alperen Sengun had 20 PTS & 9 REB on 6/9 FG shooting
Amen Thompson had 22 PTS, 5 REB and 4 AST on 9/13 FG shooting
Cam Whitmore had 13 PTS… pic.twitter.com/7aZnnsGl4n
— E.K. Johnson (@CoalitionHoops) February 23, 2024
Alpi won the first 2 match-ups against Jonas and it's a big reason why the Rockets won those games, he lost the next 2 and these games weren't close, still young and has ways to go strength wise to bang with some of these guys that are bigger than he is
— Abel (@AbelGe87) February 23, 2024
Jalen Green has now shot 40% or lower in 33 of the #Rockets 55 games this season…
He simply has to be better.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) February 23, 2024
Amen Thompson a career high 22 points tonight vs NOP@HoustonRockets I #Rockets pic.twitter.com/OqzRKh0n5J
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 23, 2024
