In the finale of a frustrating four-game road trip, the short-handed Rockets led by 12 after the first quarter before running out of steam in Saturday’s 122-113 loss (box score) at Atlanta. Dejounte Murray returned from a two-game injury absence and led the Hawks (24-29) with an efficient 34 points, including 12-of-15 on free throws (80.0%).
As their Western Conference play-in tournament odds continue to fade, the Rockets (23-29) suffered their first four-game losing streak and are now just 5-20 away from home all season. In a familiar development, Houston’s late comeback bid couldn’t get over the hump despite closing the gap to five points with just over a minute left.
The Rockets, who were on night two of a road back-to-back after losing Friday in Toronto, were down four key players due to injury: Alperen Sengun (lower back pain), Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management), and Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain). The status of those players for the next game, Monday at home versus New York, is not yet clear.
Given those absences, several of the remaining Rockets stepped into larger roles and fared well offensively. Standouts included:
- Jalen Green: 26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 turnovers; 10-of-22 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%)
- Jeff Green: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 turnovers; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%)
- Amen Thompson: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%)
- Dillon Brooks: 14 points; 5-of-19 shooting (26.3%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4 steals; 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)
- Aaron Holiday: 18 points, 2 assists in 22 minutes; 7-of-10 shooting, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%)
- Jock Landale: Season-high 9 rebounds in 13 minutes
However, Houston often struggled to get defensive stops versus Murray and Trae Young’s high-octane Hawks. After holding Atlanta to 19 points in the first quarter, the Rockets lost intensity as the game progressed, allowing 38 points in each of the next two quarters.
Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Atlanta, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the road trip complete, next up for the Rockets is Monday’s game versus the Knicks (33-19), with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. Central.
Feb. 10 Rockets-Hawks reaction
Amen Thompson is a winning basketball player. He just does the little things that do not show up on the box score.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 11, 2024
Where has this Jabari Smith rim protection been for all of my life?? Back 2 back blocks. Big time
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 11, 2024
HUGE spark off the bench for Aaron!
18 PTS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/69jBOjpgJL
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 11, 2024
Rockets got the lead down to four before a Murray drive. Hawks have been in the second-most clutch situation games in the NBA. They have the sixth worst net rating in those situations in the NBA.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 11, 2024
Jabari Smith Jr. has 5 blocks and 4 steals tonight.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 11, 2024
Reggie Bullock up to 43% on 3s. We may be at a point now where his shooting numbers are elite enough that you need to give him run and live with the rest
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 11, 2024
JALEN GREEN WITH THE POSTER ON DEJOUNTE MURRAY 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/hqKZmd8hCc
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) February 11, 2024
5 BLOCKS FOR BARI ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/MexC48EsK2
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 11, 2024
Jalen Green: 26pts, 14rbs, 10ast triple-double! Rebounds and assists were career highs! Very impressive performance. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) February 11, 2024
watch this poster again 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mG3agXTkgz
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 11, 2024
Rockets currently sit with the NBA's 9th worst record, which gives them a 20.3 percent chance of keeping their first round pick. They are two games ahead of Brooklyn, but it would be close to impossible for them to fall further than that
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 11, 2024
amen thompson tonight:
12 points
11 rebounds (4 offensive)
2 assists
2 steals
60% FG (6/10)he continues to look good but unfortunately the rockets losing streak reaches 4 games (longest of the season) pic.twitter.com/o5zc3Lf47C
— jeff (@DedicationHoops) February 11, 2024
It's so funny that the rockets numbers look better than their record because they alllllways alllllmost come back in losses. They never get steamrolled, instead they lose by 4 over and over and over again.
You'd think the coin flip would go their way sometimes
It will not.
— Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) February 11, 2024
-jalen green first triple-double of his career/career high in rebounds/posterized dejounte
-jabari career high in blocks
-amen double-double
-very good aaron holiday/jeff green gametired of the rockets being bad on the road but we move
— jeff (@DedicationHoops) February 11, 2024
It is what it is.
Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, Aaron Holiday all did well in their own role. Jeff had a vintage game, Jalen a 26 point triple double, Nate with 8 quick points.
If you had asked me before the game, I would have taken such an effort. Saddiq Bey killed us
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 11, 2024
With all the injuries this has been a good game for the Rockets. We have not seen this team with this Amen, Cam and a healthy Tari. They may actually get everyone back next week and I think you see a different teampic.twitter.com/ZAHgpf0Qkw
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 11, 2024
#Rockets vs Hawks TONIGHT on SCHN
Alperen Sengun (back) & Cam Whitmore (ankle) are both out tonight
Ime Udoka had this update before the gameOur @HoustonRockets game coverage begins at 6PM with the Pregame Show pic.twitter.com/Eu4RJUnvnP
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 10, 2024
I cannot wait for the #Rockets to return to full health.
— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Card) February 11, 2024
So, once again #Rockets can't win on the road, going 0-4 on their 4 game road trip. Chance to turn it around with a home game vs NYK on Monday and a road game versus MEM on Wednesday before the ASB commences.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) February 11, 2024
To me rockets offense was the issue all night. To many quick shots. Not enough running the offense to get the defense moving to generate good shots. Also horrible games from Dillon and Jabari. Defensive rebounding was also an issue. Atl bigs killed us all night
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) February 11, 2024
These last few games from Dillon Brooks are what I was terrified of when we signed him.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 11, 2024
Dillon Brooks being Dillon Brooks. His IQ is pretty bad for a good defender. Then he bricks a 3 https://t.co/bORhP1JLKV
— HoustonHorn (@ndnpro64) February 11, 2024
This is the most active I’ve seen Jock Landale all season.
— David Weiner #🟦 (@BimaThug) February 11, 2024
Jock Landale and Aaron Holiday in for the Rockets. Landale said this week he has felt more like himself in recent weeks, and Udoka said tonight he has seen that in workouts. He's looked better in his few minutes here and there. A chance to show it with Sengun out.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 11, 2024
Ime Udoka on Jalen Green bouncing back from Toronto: "He was playing the right way. He got himself in a groove as far as passing early, finding guys… not playing in the crowd as much. I'd like to have a few back, especially a late pass that got batted down there, but he played…
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 11, 2024
I think one of the reasons Jalen been more consistent lately and not having 2 or 3 bad games in a row is the constant coaching of Jalen by Ime during practice, film room and especially in games.
It happens even more during games when it isn’t on camera. I see it all times while… pic.twitter.com/LAz9DG1PO5— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 11, 2024
#Rockets Aaron Holiday tonight vs Atlanta
22 MIN 🚀18 PTS🚀7-10 FG🚀3-5 3PT🚀He spoke after the @HoustonRockets 122-113 loss to the Hawks pic.twitter.com/ZDcskBUSXE
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 11, 2024
1st Career TRIPLE-DOUBLE tonight for Jalen Green
🏀26 POINTS
🏀14 REBOUNDS
🏀10 ASSISTS@HoustonRockets i #Rockets pic.twitter.com/8hpF1To2bW— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 11, 2024
