HOUSTON — In Monday’s rematch at Toyota Center, the Rockets followed up Saturday’s win over Sacramento with a 122-97 blowout (box score). Houston, which has now won three straight games, led by as many as 40 points in another strong two-way performance.
The Kings fell to 2-4 with the loss, while the Rockets (3-3) are at .500 for the first time since being 1-1 in October 2021. Excluding that two-game sample, it’s the first time the Rockets have been at .500 or better since being 11-11 early in the 2020-21 season.
Third-year guard Jalen Green had slumped to start the 2023-24 season, averaging just above 17 points over his first five games on subpar shooting. But in this one, Green was electric with a game-high 23 points in just 26 minutes, shooting 5-of-9 overall (55.6%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%), and 10-of-12 on free throws (83.3%).
Meanwhile, fellow third-year prospect Alperen Sengun finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists. Jabari Smith Jr. added 13 points and 4 rebounds for the Rockets in just 22 minutes, making 5-of-8 shots (62.5%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%).
Sengun’s defense also helped limit Kings star Domantas Sabonis to just 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 turnovers in 30 minutes.
De’Aaron Fox and Amen Thompson again sat out for the Kings and Rockets, respectively, due to right ankle sprains, while Tari Eason missed his sixth straight game with a stress reaction in his left lower leg. Eason is expected to return soon, while Thompson is likely weeks away from a return due to the Grade 2 nature of his sprain.
As for Monday’s rout, here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston, as a seven-game homestand continues, is Wednesday’s game versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.
Nov. 6 Rockets-Kings reaction
Alperen Sengun ties Hakeem Olajuwon for the #Rockets single game record for assists by a center with 1⃣2⃣ tonight vs SAC
Rockets WIN 122-97@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/f4prjbuw75
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 7, 2023
#Rockets BEAT the Kings 122-97
Alperen Sengun 🏀17 PTS🏀12 AST🏀8 REB🏀@alperennsengun talked with our @SportsVanessa after the WIN@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/OKJEC2SZAq
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 7, 2023
I could cry… at no stretch of any amount of games in the last 3 years has our defensive play type profile have this many positives on Synergy.. pic.twitter.com/XcvYuvzHkL
— Apathetic (@ftank58) November 7, 2023
That lineup with FVV, Dillon, Sengun and Tate in 98 possessions is one of the best defensive 4 man lineups in the NBA.. holding teams to 94.4 points/poss.
— Apathetic (@ftank58) November 7, 2023
The Rockets are up 35 on SAC. They’ve outscored the Kings by 53 over the last 7 qtrs
It’s been the young guys (Sengun, Green, Jabari) doing the damage tonight too
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) November 7, 2023
The #Rockets laid a good ole fashioned passionate ass whoopin on Sacramento.
I am so impressed with how Ime Udoka has this team playing the right way so early in the season. Houston is back at .500 for the first time in forever.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 7, 2023
Call it a hot take but I think Alperen Sengun is already as good as Sabonis (maybe better)
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 7, 2023
Jalen 23 pts on 9 FGA, 10-12 FTs, 3-5 from 3P
Jabari 13 pts, 4 rebs on 5-8, 3-5 from 3P
Alpi 17-8-12. Dominated a good matchup
They will grow up together. Don’t need any one to force the issue. Take what’s there and play efficient and selflessly within the system
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) November 7, 2023
After the worst week in HOU sports in a while end of October, we may be clearing the way for the young teams to shine and grow.
Will still be ups and downs but feels good to have these young teams to root for. Just getting started.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) November 7, 2023
Ime Udoka still actively coaching and upset after a defensive breakdown while the #Rockets are up 40 is incredibly on-brand.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 7, 2023
#Rockets up 31pts late in Q4. Get slopped with boxing out. Udoka immediately calls timeout. Accountability never stops.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 7, 2023
This #Rockets team is absolutely unrecognizable from what we have seen from the last 3 years. Take a bow Ime Udoka! https://t.co/wi1VRfwy87
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 7, 2023
How Jalen Green is playing aggressively in this game is the expectation of how he should play all the time. That's the type of player he needs to be. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 7, 2023
I hope we’re all done overreacting now to the 0-3 start because it’s clear to see now that even then, particularly in the losses against the Spurs and Warriors, Ime Udoka was building something. The goal is just progress.
I have no idea how many games this team wins. (I… pic.twitter.com/RzV9tFZa3m
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 7, 2023
watch @alperennsengun flirt with a triple-double 👇 pic.twitter.com/RVkgiPdY6U
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 7, 2023
Bug win for the Rockets, 122-97.
Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green dominated offensively, everybody worked well defensively, Jabari Smith hit jumpers and the Rockets got an easy win. That's the vision.
This team might make some noise.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 7, 2023
I hate feeling like I'm repeating myself but man, this defense is just amazing. Not a lot more I can say. Everyone is playing exceptionally well within the system.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 7, 2023
Love seeing Jalen Green just go by Keegan Murray. This team is not in its final form yet, and when it is, I'm confident the they will try to put Jalen Green in position where he can cook a weaker/slower perimeter defender as much possible.
And that doesn't only mean bigs.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 7, 2023
JALEN HAS 19 POINTS
ALPEREN SENGUN HAS 9 ASSISTS
WHAT A HALF OF ROCKETS BASKETBALL
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) November 7, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. is now averaging 38.2% from three on 5.7 3PA!!
THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO SEE JABARI!!!#Rockets pic.twitter.com/s5d4ZRTByY
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) November 7, 2023
Cam Whitmore's first NBA points 🥹 pic.twitter.com/5v74sAiTZW
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 7, 2023
Aaron Holiday led the way off the #Rockets bench tonight with 13 points (6-6 FG)#Rockets beat the Kings 122-97@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/sK6Wx47fXG
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 7, 2023
Brooks playing with force on offense, Jabari playing with confidence. Good sign that these things are becoming patterns. @HoustonRockets
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) November 7, 2023
Mood @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/S1sVAUKX9I
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) November 7, 2023
Fred VanVleet puts his FG percentage at risk with the halfcourt floater and gets rewarded with the buzzer beater. pic.twitter.com/XfLjXRPDng
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 7, 2023
