The Latest Breaking News from Rockets

Praying for Victor (Wembanyama)? If so, Monday’s loss to New York was good for Houston, which clinched maximum odds in the NBA’s 2023 draft lottery. #Rockets

NEW YORK — The ball was passed ahead to Julius Randle with the clock ticking down to its final seconds in the third quarter and Randle, with the defense surrounding him he stepped back and drained a three-point field goal, setting off a loud celebration at Madison Square Garden.

Boston is gaining on Milwaukee for the best record in the NBA ahead of a meeting between the two teams this week.

Jalen Green and the #Rockets haven’t played at Madison Square Garden since November 2021, but that changes Monday in Houston’s final back-to-back of the 2022-23 season.

With 30 points on elite efficiency, Jalen Green did his part in a battle with fellow second-year prospect Evan Mobley in Cleveland. The #Rockets supporting cast, however, was underwhelming.

BOSTON — As well as they have played for most of the season, the Celtics have proven susceptible to losses to inferior opponents. They’ve lost to the Magic three times. More recently, they lost to the Rockets, the worst team in the Western Conference. Those defeats may be pivotal in…

Sunday was Kevin Porter Jr.’s first time playing in Cleveland since being traded to Houston. Stephen Silas, Rafael Stone, and Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff all praised his personal growth.

“KP [Kevin Porter Jr.] is one of the more talented players I’ve had the pleasure of being around,” Larry Nance Jr. says of his ex-teammate. “He is learning to play the point guard position.”

Sunday’s Rockets-Cavaliers matchup places Jalen Green and Evan Mobley — the NBA’s No. 2 and No. 3 overall draft picks from the 2021 first round — in the spotlight. #Rockets

“We knew the physicality was going to be the number one thing,” #Rockets coach Stephen Silas says of the loss at Memphis. “We were just letting them run around wherever they wanted.”

#Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. (20 points, 8 rebounds) continued his strong month and shot very well, but it wasn’t nearly enough versus Luke Kennard and the red-hot Grizzlies.