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In night two of a road back-to-back, the Rockets couldn’t overcome a nightmarish start in Saturday’s 106-104 loss at Brooklyn (box score). The Nets (18-27) led by 28 points in a dominant first half before an epic Houston comeback cut the lead to one in the closing seconds, only to have Alperen Sengun miss one of two free throws when he had a chance to tie the game with 2.4 seconds left.
Had Houston finished off its rally, the 28-point turnaround would have been the greatest comeback in franchise history.
As it is, it’s the latest chapter in an underwhelming January for the Rockets. Houston (21-24) is now 4-9 in its last 13 games, and they are just 5-16 in road games for the 2023-24 season to date.
Rookie guard Cam Whitmore played a key role in Houston’s fourth-quarter lineup, which trimmed a 20-point lead early in the quarter to as little as a point in those frantic final seconds. After posting career-highs in points and rebounds in Friday’s win, Whitmore was nearly as good Saturday with a team-high 19 points and 9 rebounds, including 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%) and 4-of-4 on free throws.
Jalen Green (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Dillon Brooks (19 points, 5 rebounds) tied Whitmore for the scoring lead, and Green hit 4-of-9 from 3-point range (44.4%). With Sengun struggling to make his usual impact versus the length and athleticism of Nic Claxton, Rockets coach Ime Udoka went small for much of the final minutes and trusted a lineup comprised of Green, Whitmore, and three proven defensive players in Brooks, Fred VanVleet, and Jae’Sean Tate.
The closing seconds also featured controversy when Green appeared to tie up third-year guard Cam Thomas with just over five seconds left to play. Had a jump ball been called, the Rockets would have had an opportunity to secure possession and win the game with any made shot. Instead, the official whistled Green for a foul, and Thomas hit both free throws to push the lead back to three.
With Cam Johnson (personal reasons) out for Brooklyn, Thomas stepped into his starting lineup slot and made quite an impression, finishing with a game-high 37 points on 11-of-19 shooting (57.9%). He hit 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%) and 12-of-15 free throws (80.0%).
For Houston, second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both remained out, though head coach Ime Udoka said Saturday that he was hopeful that Smith would be able to return for Houston’s next game.
Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is Monday’s opener of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center versus the Los Angeles Lakers (23-23). Tipoff of that game, which could be crucial in a tight standings race for Western Conference play-in tournament spots, is set for 7:00 p.m. Central.
Jan. 27 Rockets-Nets reaction
Rockets lose 104-106.
Wow.
The most bizarre game I've watched in my life.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 28, 2024
AMEN THOMPSON … WHAT JUST HAPPENED? pic.twitter.com/WUw2xEOBQR
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 28, 2024
Cam Whitmore is by FAR the most confident 19 year old I’ve ever seen step on a basketball court.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) January 28, 2024
Cam Whitmore went from a G-Leaguer to a guy Ime Udoka has a hard time keeping off the floor in a span of a month
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) January 28, 2024
Final: Nets 106, Rockets 104
Thomas: 37 pts, 3 ast, 11/19 FG
Bridges: 19 pts, 6/14 FG
Finney-Smith: 19 pts, 7 reb, 7/12 FG
Claxton: 10 pts, 13 reb, 5/7 FGA win is a win, but man, that was a discouraging close from Brooklyn.
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) January 28, 2024
Can we stop with the Sengun conspiracy theories? He wasn't good tonight, it happens, and Udoka, more than any coach I've ever covered rides the hot hand. He has benched every starter at one point or another this season, aside from VanVleet
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 28, 2024
Ime Udoka wanted to win this game and he kept Sengun on the bench because we were far better without him and had literally chipped down a 28 point lead. It was a bad matchup. I'd calm down. https://t.co/IZjgQbX55t
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) January 28, 2024
I love the effort by the Rockets tonight in the loss…They didn’t keep their heads down…Fought through it, but came up short…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 28, 2024
Alpi is going to be thinking about that free throw all the way home…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 28, 2024
I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) January 28, 2024
That is the most clear jump ball I’ve ever seen in my life.
1st the refs missed a clear step out of bounds that resulted in a layup and then they gifted the Nets a foul when it was an obvious tie up.
Two clear and egregious blunders.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) January 28, 2024
I’m not crazy, this is a jump ball. pic.twitter.com/dnYe1EX7nP https://t.co/mNrHinqjHr
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) January 28, 2024
Cam Whitmore makes this a 6-point game!
He’s got 19 points in this one. pic.twitter.com/Oz0OsLSIhC
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) January 28, 2024
AMEN THOMPSON !!!!#Rockets vs Nets@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/u5jJ6daQ1l
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 28, 2024
With Jeff Green not starting the half at the four, he is back in his backup center role, checking in with VanVleet, Tate, Holiday, and Green. https://t.co/0dObpTA8u2
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 28, 2024
Down 28 pts on the road on the 2nd night of a B2B (now 2-7 in said situation). #Rockets https://t.co/kxFcjb7Kh4
— Stan M. Norfleet (@StanSportsMan) January 28, 2024
Damn man. Even after being down 28 I feel like we easily could’ve won this game if a couple things went our way🤦🏽♂️ horrible first half and excellent effort in the 2nd. Great resiliency and glad we didn’t quit #Rockets
— ᴍᴀʜᴇʀ 🚀 (@LilMaccc) January 28, 2024
Even with the Rockets uneven play lately the one saving grace has been the Rockets rookies showing their potential and exactly why Rockets fans should be excited about the future pic.twitter.com/4dYCF7W4vM
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 28, 2024
Single digit game. Cam Whitmore is happy.
The Rockets recognize his talent that even at 19 years old on an off night, they keep going to him as their primary offensive option. Amazing.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 28, 2024
Whitmore is becoming our closer ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #Rockets
— Maya ♥️s 🚀🏀 (@RowdyMaya) January 28, 2024
Amen keeps proving why his coach should let him play more minutes. #Rockets
— Maya ♥️s 🚀🏀 (@RowdyMaya) January 28, 2024
“I know my game more than anybody,” [Cam] Whitmore said. “If I’m missing open 3s, I got to get to the basket, feel the ball a little bit. Just being more aggressive. That’s what I am.” #Rockets https://t.co/7OtOBMOqo8
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) January 27, 2024
The Rockets really got Cam Whitmore at pick 20 because he didn't smile enough in interviews 😭
What a coup. Gotta love GM's overthinking.
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) January 27, 2024
Cam Whitmore is crazy good at basketball😮💨💯
— Tari Eason (@TAR13ASON) January 28, 2024
Ime Udoka does not have an agenda against Alperen Şengün. Şengün didn’t have it going tonight, and the unit that played in Şengün’s absence made a blowout game a close game.
I probably would’ve subbed Şengün in when Claxton had to sit, but once again, that unit was cooking.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) January 28, 2024
1 point game pic.twitter.com/AbokNL6zzN
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) January 28, 2024
Jalen greens defense has been excellent here in the 4th
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) January 28, 2024
1. That was terrible.
2. I refuse to care about any game missing 2 of Tari/Bari/Dillon.
3. Cam Whitmore.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) January 28, 2024
Why is Jae’Sean Tate shooting a stepback 3 with a fresh shot clock in a 5 point game
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) January 28, 2024
And lastly, this is why the Rockets can’t dig themselves into a deep hole and try to make a comeback. Missed calls are always going to happen, and it’s tougher on teams trying to make a comeback
— Adam Abramson (@Adam_Abramson1) January 28, 2024
#Rockets battled back after being down 28 points in the 1st half, but fall to the Nets 106-104@HoustonRockets head coach Ime Udoka after the game pic.twitter.com/33usD8ahkv
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 28, 2024
#Rockets fall to the Nets 106-104
Cam Whitmore 19 PTS, 9 REB and met with the media after the game pic.twitter.com/3SP2in5HSI
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 28, 2024