In the first of two straight games in the same building between the same teams, the Rockets couldn’t recapture their home form in Thursday’s 110-105 loss (box score) to the Phoenix Suns. With the loss, Houston (25-34) drops to a woeful 5-24 on the road this season.
Tari Eason remained sidelined with a lower left leg injury, and it appears quite possible that it could end his 2023-24 season. Bradley Beal and Eric Gordon were out with minor injuries for Phoenix.
The Suns lost in Houston last Friday, but led by Devin Booker, it was a very different story in Phoenix (35-24). The All-Star guard finished with a game-high 35 points on Thursday while shooting 13-of-27 from the field (48.1%), including 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%).
Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets, finishing with a team-high 34 points and 5 rebounds. Green’s shot faded as the game progressed and he shot just 10-of-27 (37.0%), though he did make 7-of-17 from 3-point range (41.2%) and all seven of his free-throw attempts.
But on the offensive end of the court, Green didn’t have enough help, and particularly not from distance. Other notable lines included:
- Fred VanVleet: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; 6-of-16 shooting (37.5%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 7-of-7 on free throws
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 16 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%)
- Dillon Brooks: 6 points, 8 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 0-of-6 on 3-pointers
- Alperen Sengun: 8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 6 fouls, ejected; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
- Cam Whitmore: 14 points, 8 rebounds; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 0-of-5 on 3-pointers
As a team, the Rockets connected on just 33-of-99 shots (33.3%) and 11-of-45 from 3-point range (24.4%) on Thursday night.
On the positive side, Houston went +12 in 10 minutes with backup center Jock Landale, who tallied 8 points (50% FG) and 6 rebounds.
Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Saturday’s rematch from Footprint Center is up next, with the tip at 8 p.m. Central.
Feb. 29 Rockets-Suns reaction
Love this move from Jalen Green, absolutely lost Royce O’Neal. pic.twitter.com/osfiqbL0Tb
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 1, 2024
Continuing to make good, aggressive decisions, especially in a much-needed game like tonight where Houston has nothing going offensively. Keeping it simple. https://t.co/zuqoytiH4J
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 1, 2024
JALEN GREEN CAN'T MISS pic.twitter.com/eoiVSvWA7V
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 1, 2024
Jalen Green is singlehandedly keeping the #Rockets in this game.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 1, 2024
Devin Booker. Wow. pic.twitter.com/3uaLkHB3P7
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 1, 2024
This is the 50th time in Devin Booker's career he's scored 25+ points in a half.
He passes Tracy McGrady for the 9th most since the NBA started tracking it (1996)
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) March 1, 2024
Devin Booker 20
Houston Rockets 17— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 1, 2024
Need someone other than Jalen to his some 3's for the #Rockets https://t.co/rFz4qYtDMD
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 1, 2024
Jalen had been grabbing at his left hand all night. Wonder if there’s something up with it.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 1, 2024
As well as Jalen Green is shooting it, the finishing has been rough, unfortunately. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 1, 2024
It appears we have Part 2 tonight. These 2 don’t seem to like each other. Another mini scuffle being reviewed now. https://t.co/jhWzS93ITD
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 1, 2024
Devin Booker and Cam Whitmore square off after a bit of an elbow from Booker led to words and a jab from Whitmore. Looked like everyone stayed on the bench, though Amen Thompson had to work hard to keep Tari Eason there.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 1, 2024
Cam Whitmore and Devin Booker going at it yet again pic.twitter.com/LIfSdt3lvJ
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 1, 2024
Alperen Sengun just lost his mind. He fouled out, went at the ref and got ejected. pic.twitter.com/BsxVZU1Ykx
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 1, 2024
Sengun just got tossed. Wow. Never seen him that heated with an official before.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 1, 2024
When you combine some of the calls that go against Alperen Sengun and the calls that Jalen Green doesn't get, it's usually an ugly outcome for the #Rockets
— Don Dougan (@don_dougan) March 1, 2024
Rockets are now 20-10 at home and 5-24 on the road. That's a wild split
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 1, 2024
I’ll just say this it takes a lot to get Sengun upset A LOT. Even Phoenix broadcast agreed with Sengun pic.twitter.com/v71kOmfGBc
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 1, 2024
Sengun was pissed and he has every right to be on that call…He fouled out and got ejected…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 1, 2024
Scott Wall might not want to vacation in Turkey any time soon
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 1, 2024
someone needs to do a compilation after this game. this is like straight out of the 90s. https://t.co/V4FPL4POjS
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 1, 2024
Genuinely don’t care what anyone on the teams FG% is, offense has been stale, no movement, and nothing but Delay action and single side ISOs.
— D’andre Williams (@willlumz) March 1, 2024
Jock Landale playing himself into some rotation minutes?
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 1, 2024
Silver lining: Obviously he didn't shoot well, but Jabari Smith Jr. finishing with 16 rebounds (fourth straight game with 13+) is something.
With his archetype, being able to still provide rebounding value on the bad shooting nights is super important
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 1, 2024
I don't know how to describe what I watched tonight but it most certainly wasn't team basketball. https://t.co/fyAmO3KiZM
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) March 1, 2024
At least Jock Landale has looked great. Needs more minutes
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) March 1, 2024
Jock Landale might be back to his old self. It only took til game 58 of the season. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 1, 2024
Great to see Jalen Green have a monster game. Seven made 3’s, a season-high, and was aggressive and confident all night. Keep up that momentum #Rockets
— The Creole Crusader 🧛🏽♂️ (@midrangejumpr2) March 1, 2024
Jabari Smith Jr’s last four games:
22 PTS – 16 REB
20 PTS – 17 REB
18 PTS – 13 REB
11 PTS – 16 REBHe’s the 1st 20 or younger forward to average 15-15 in a 4 game stretch since Amare Stoudemire. (2003) pic.twitter.com/CjhbMYdSU3
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 1, 2024
Ime Udoka said again that the things he has stressed to the team since the All-Star break are:
– Offensive rebounding rate / 2nd-chance points
– Fast break pace
– Take 40 threes a gameHe said they are missing Tari on the boards, but he singled out Jabari as having "taken the…
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 1, 2024
“We are not going to get punked by anybody, that’s definitely not going to happen,” said Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet when asked about the back and forth between the Rockets and Suns. “If things get chippy that means that both teams are playing hard.” #Rockets #Sarge pic.twitter.com/8ZZk7ue7us
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 1, 2024
Ime Udoka talked about #Rockets players that let missed shots early impact them for the rest of the game, not seeking other ways to contribute.
He later specified Alperen Sengun was one of them. "It seems like (Alpi) makes a quick move and misses it and kind of hangs his head at… pic.twitter.com/mrZibHveUz
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 1, 2024
