HOUSTON — In the finale of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets suffered a difficult setback in Wednesday’s 137-131 overtime loss (box score) to the Portland Trail Blazers.
With the loss, Houston (20-23) missed a chance to pull into a virtual tie with Utah and the Los Angeles Lakers (both 22-23) for the No. 9 and No. 10 spots in the Western Conference standings, which would represent the final two spots in the 2023-24 play-in tournament.
The Rockets led by four points entering the game’s closing seconds, but Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant each hit miraculous 3-pointers in the final 3.1 seconds of regulation (sandwiched around a pair of free throws by Aaron Holiday) to extend the game to overtime. Grant’s off-balance, off-glass heave from the right wing went in as time expired, and Portland pulled away in overtime.
Grant finished with 21 points and 9 assists for lowly Portland (13-30), which entered on night two of a road back-to-back. Houston, on the other hand, was at home and rested, having not played since Sunday.
JERAMI GRANT CLUTCH.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 25, 2024
The Rockets had plenty of standouts on offense, including:
- Alperen Sengun: 30 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists; 11-of-17 shooting (64.7%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 7-of-8 on free throws (87.5%)
- Jalen Green: 29 points, 3 assists; 12-of-24 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%), 3-of-4 on free throws (75.0%)
- Fred VanVleet: 18 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks; 8-of-17 shooting (47.1%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
- Cam Whitmore: 12 points, 4 rebounds in 14 minutes; 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
As a team, the Rockets made 50-of-94 shots (53.2%) in one of their most efficient shooting nights all season. However, it didn’t matter thanks to Portland’s incredible shotmaking late in regulation and another lethargic defensive night by Houston, which ranks just 18th in defensive rating in January. That’s well below their No. 10 ranking for the 2023-24 season (it was once at No. 2), and it has a lot to do with why the slumping Rockets are 3-8 in their last 11 games.
The Rockets were again short-handed, with second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) still sidelined and Jae’Sean Tate (left wrist strain) missing his only his third game of the 2023-24 season.
Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a road back-to-back, starting Friday night in Charlotte (10-31) and continuing to Brooklyn (17-26) on Saturday afternoon.
Jan. 24 Rockets-Trail Blazers reaction
Ime Udoka said it was an "embarrassment" to give up 41 points in the third quarter.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 25, 2024
Ime Udoka did not like the ball movement late, saying there was too much "hero ball."
He said the Rockets did not come out with a defensive mindset in the second half. "To give up 41 in that third quarter, it was an embarrassment."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 25, 2024
Rockets lose. Tough.
Everyone looked good offensively, but defense was consistently the issue, especially without Amen out there.
20-23 Now. Onto the next one. Hopefully Jalen can build on it.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 25, 2024
A game at home against one of the NBA’s worst teams, on night two of a road back-to-back. You had not played in 72 hours. And you led by 4 with under 5 seconds left.
This was as much of a “scheduling win” as you’ll ever see. They lost it. Not a random game. https://t.co/36UK6zPELC
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 25, 2024
Cant get a single stop against the worst offense in the league
This was a must win game
Idk where we go from here
2-7 over the last 9
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) January 25, 2024
Asked Ime Udoka if this was the #Rockets most frustrating loss of the season:
"We've had a few frustrating ones for sure. Everybody's pissed off in there."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 25, 2024
Tonight’s loss was an absolute disgrace. This cannot be stated clearly enough. Injuries are no excuse.
— David Weiner #🟦 (@BimaThug) January 25, 2024
Honestly they have hit ridiculous shots all game https://t.co/VHOuuRipbn
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) January 25, 2024
Rockets put Boban on the inbounder, had FVV play the 3PT line, worked to switch and Jerami Grant did not care. pic.twitter.com/q3u3nclQwU
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) January 25, 2024
The #Rockets need to post Alperen Sengun up with the game on the line. Ime Udoka needs to intervene and tell these dudes what to set up. Stop wasting clock with Fred and Jalen dribbling 20 feet out and get the ball to the Turkish kid.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) January 25, 2024
Rockets lowkey trolling with our offense.. it’s like they try stuff out for 3 quarters and then pray on senior Fred to bail the team out in the 4th.. I would assume the cost of development but man there’s a better way than this I promise
— Apathetic (@ftank58) January 25, 2024
Really look forward to getting Tari and Jabari back. #Rockets are missing them desperately.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) January 25, 2024
Sengun tonight:
30 PTS
10 REB
8 AST
11-17 FGAll-Star? https://t.co/TFCEe6nmlN
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 25, 2024
The Rockets have one of the rare “make something good happen” guys in the league in Alperen Sengun and yet they always seem to go away from him in crunch time.
Completely baffling.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) January 25, 2024
Rockets are not the Celtics they can’t play lackadaisical for 3 quarters and then flip a switch. There margin of error is extremely small pic.twitter.com/G8wG6DnTwj
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 25, 2024
JALEN GREEN ➡️ ALPEREN SENGUN
POETRY IN CLUTCH MOTION. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/FHtLtv0mFG
— Summit State Of Mind (@SummitSOMpod) January 25, 2024
Alperen Sengun: YOU ARE AN ALL STAR. ⭐️🚀 pic.twitter.com/VJgPD81Xmm
— Summit State Of Mind (@SummitSOMpod) January 25, 2024
Alperen Sengun, you are incredible.
Taking Deandre Ayton off the dribble from way behind the 3 point line.
Not sure why they couldn't get him the ball deeper, or didn't try to, but Sengun made that not even matter.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 25, 2024
Against Portland:
Amen Thompson — 14 minutes
Fred VanVleet — 45 minutes……The #Rockets have to start playing Amen Thompson more. pic.twitter.com/7IFPrFPeP5
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) January 25, 2024
One of the worst losses of the season for the Rockets…
Inexcusable.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) January 25, 2024
This season is slowly slipping away from the Rockets. I hope Stone is on the phone
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) January 25, 2024
Alperen Şengün has the most steals in the NBA since Christmas.
He also has the 5th most points in that span. pic.twitter.com/fgmL2DkbGD
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) January 25, 2024
