The young Houston Rockets (1-6) don’t yet have the elusive win that continues to evade them on a tough road trip, but point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is showing some very promising signs.
Despite playing through obvious pain from a nagging right quad contusion suffered last Wednesday in Utah, Porter kept the Rockets competitive in Sunday’s 124-109 loss (box score) in Phoenix with a team-high 26 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists. and only 1 turnover. Porter drew a career-high 14 free-throw attempts and made 11 (78.6%).
The Suns (5-1) were led by perennial All-Star guard Devin Booker, who scored a game-high 30 points on 14-of-24 shooting (58.3%). Veteran floor general Chris Paul had 10 points and a game-high 13 assists to pace Phoenix, which gradually pulled away in the second half after Houston tied the game late in the third quarter.
Backcourt mate Jalen Green added 15 points for the Rockets, but his recent shooting slump continued, as the second-year guard made just 5-of-18 shots overall (27.8%) and 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%). Second-year center Alperen Sengun tallied 16 points (60.0% FG) and 9 rebounds, while rookie forward Tari Eason had 9 points off the bench in just 11 minutes on 4-of-4 shooting.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Houston concludes its four-game Western Conference road trip and a tough back-to-back on Monday in Los Angeles versus the Clippers (2-4) and former teammate John Wall, with tipoff set for 9:30 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Rockets will fall to 1-6, head to Los Angeles.
With the Clippers having also played earlier today, not sure how often you see two teams facing each other with each on the 2nd night of a back to back. Monday night will be interesting.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 31, 2022
Jalen Green and foul calls do not exist, apparently pic.twitter.com/faOQD9ChQF
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 31, 2022
Rockets just can’t have empty offensive possessions like that in the 4th against teams of this caliber.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 31, 2022
Jalen Green shot will be fine he is just going through a slump which happens to everyone. Good thing is he isn’t hesitating
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 31, 2022
Kevin Porter Jr. with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal with 7 minutes left (and at the time out he often sits.) He is one of six players in the league averaging 20p, 6r, 5a and 1.5st. Just needs a half steal.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 31, 2022
GREAT finish from KPJ, but he starts limping immediately after. pic.twitter.com/HAgKTSB2xx
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 31, 2022
GREAT read by KPJ to find KJ Martin!
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTffPX pic.twitter.com/lZMmjwiaSk
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) October 31, 2022
Garrison Mathews sticking up for Kevin Porter Jr. as things get chippy in Phoenix.
Love that energy.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 31, 2022
Have to love your teammates sticking up for each other pic.twitter.com/RLe2iOQGN3
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 31, 2022
Garuba to TIE THE GAME! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HKegALOdmH
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 31, 2022
Tari Eason: All Hustle
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTffPX pic.twitter.com/QEf3gpR3Om
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) October 31, 2022
I am liking the fight from this young Rockets team…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 31, 2022
Jalen Green is a BLUR in transition! #Rockets cut the lead to four!
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTffPX pic.twitter.com/yUMPqK11JR
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) October 31, 2022
#Rockets lose 124-109 at Suns, fall to 1-6. 5 of the Rockets 7 games have been against the teams tied for the most wins in the league. There are 12 teams with winning records – all 7 of the Rockets games have come against those teams. Next up: at LAC (2-4), who've lost 4 straight
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) October 31, 2022
Quick thoughts:
Better effort tonight. If they give this effort every time I think most fans would be more patient
Jalen Green struggling with his shot but its just a slump
KPJ has been good this year and their best player
Eason not playing enough minutes pic.twitter.com/dPOjuop8Ip— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 31, 2022
#Rockets fall to the Suns 124-109@HoustonRockets back in action tomorrow in LA against the Clippers
Our coverage will begin at 9PM pic.twitter.com/OkWUr3al98
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) October 31, 2022
