The Rockets ended a brutal road trip with Wednesday’s 109-94 loss (box score) to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Houston (19-21) went 1-5 on the trip and is multiple games below .500 for the first time since early November, while New York improved to 24-17.
After missing two games with a calf injury, Jalen Brunson returned to New York’s lineup and led the way with 30 points and 7 assists, shooting 11-of-21 overall (52.4%) and 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%).
As they head home, Houston finds itself outside of the top 10 in the Western Conference standings (and with that, a berth in the play-in tournament for the 2024 playoffs) for the first time in weeks.
After allowing nearly 135 points per game in their previous two losses, Houston’s defensive effort was much improved against the Knicks. However, they couldn’t withstand a regression on offense.
As a team, Houston shot just 8-of-30 on 3-pointers (26.7%), and five of those makes were by Fred VanVleet (24 points, 12 assists). Outside of VanVleet, the Rockets shot just 3-of-18 from distance (16.7%).
Backcourt mate Jalen Green had 15 points and 7 rebounds, but he finished with a team-high five turnovers and went 0-for-5 on 3-pointers. Alperen Sengun tallied 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, but some of those statistics came very late — and after the game had long been decided. By and large, Sengun struggled to make his usual impact versus Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein.
Second-year forward Tari Eason remained sidelined by a lower left leg injury, which traces back to a preseason stress reaction.
Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews from New York, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the road trip complete, the Rockets will finally return to Houston for a three-game homestand starting Saturday versus the Utah Jazz (22-20). Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. Central from Toyota Center.
The Rockets are 15-6 at home but only 4-14 on the road this season.
Jan. 17 Rockets-Knicks reaction
Might be the most frustrating loss of the season tbh. Let's take a look at some positives, though:
1. FVV finally found his rhythm
2. Alperen Sengun with a very good defensive performance. Please keep this up
3. Amen Thompson looked incredible and got a look with the starters
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 18, 2024
Ime Udoka very unhappy with Amen and Sengun here pic.twitter.com/2DNqrjhiFD
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 18, 2024
The Rockets offense lacks identity.. they have no philosophy.. just guys taking turns trying to score ..
— Apathetic (@ftank58) January 18, 2024
The #Rockets have to do something to move the needle at the trade deadline…
This isn’t a play-in team.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) January 18, 2024
The Houston #Rockets will move to 4-15 on the road tonight.
Absolutely unacceptable.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) January 18, 2024
The #Rockets posterized Isaiah Hartenstein twice in the 1st half 😂 pic.twitter.com/PA09yTFI4F
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) January 18, 2024
This #Rockets 6 game road trip is coming to an end. Rockets went 1-5. Now face a very difficult home B2B vs the red hot Jazz and best team in the NBA, Celtics. Sheesh.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) January 18, 2024
Ime Udoka says he felt the #Rockets looked to the refs to bail them out too much tonight.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 18, 2024
Rockets will be okay. This was always gonna be the most challenging part of the schedule.
The injuries, the lack of big man depth, the road woes. All was soon to come. The team's issues were ALWAYS going to pop up. But they are a well coached team, so they'll find their way out.
— Negro Bane/Tha Shark (@thashark316) January 18, 2024
Something has to change for this club. Think top down we need to mix things up and really look into the data to maximize this team and add a piece to provide some depth.
Team needs shooting/playmaking/rim protection
— JLS IV (@Slotter) January 18, 2024
The #Rockets with Tari Eason vs. Without him:
With: 12-10
Without: 7-12They desperately need him back. pic.twitter.com/3QaMrexABk
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) January 18, 2024
Amen Thompson has a lot of flaws as a rookie (to be expected), but he's already an elite competitor. You can clearly see it. He's a guy I'd ride in a stretch like this, when the collective spirit seems rattled
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 18, 2024
Amen Thompson STEAL & LAYUP#Rockets vs Knicks@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/BwICLTJIvI
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 18, 2024
Ime Udoka on the #Rockets going 1-5 on this East coast swing: "Obviously a disappointing road trip. We regressed in a lot of areas."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 18, 2024
Some people may not want to hear this, but Sengun has not been good tonight. Just seems like he is unsure of himself tonight
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 18, 2024
Rockets are the worst 3 point shooting team in the last 6 games and that’s why they went 1-5. Either someone needs to step up and start making 3s or they need to make a trade soon. They are back home Saturday and maybe that’s when they turn it around pic.twitter.com/s0lpXyOH51
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 18, 2024
#Rockets fall to the Knicks as their 6-game road trip comes to an end
Here was Dillon Brooks after the game pic.twitter.com/3W3Q3p29Uw
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 18, 2024
Anyway, the silver lining, #Rockets defense has been much improved tonight. Good in the first half, fairly productive in the third, even with that flurry of Knicks 3s.
Just a matter of whether they can score
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 18, 2024
The Rockets are the easiest team in the league to figure out what they need before the trade deadline. Shooting first and a backup center second. I don't care how good your defense is because in this NBA you need shooting.
You can get away with it against bad teams or mediocre…— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 18, 2024
The next game is massive. It's at home against the Jazz on Saturday.
Take your time to prepare and please come out with a high usage Sengun 1st quarter and a different starting lineup.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 18, 2024
Alpi is in a funk, his finishing has not been good around the rim and his shooting has been there either, he's also missing free throws
— Abel (@AbelGe87) January 18, 2024
One main difference between the Knicks team and our team is their scorers are confident getting buckets & we don't have anyone like that as a starter. They don't mind playing physical in the paint & Brooks are the only starter who thrives on physical contact..😒
— Maya ♥️s 🚀🏀 (@RowdyMaya) January 18, 2024
#Rockets lose to the Knicks 109-94@HoustonRockets return home for a back-to-back with the Jazz & Celtics this weekend
Jalen Green 15 PTS/7 REB tonight vs NY and met with the media after the game pic.twitter.com/OZ9K3b3wFl
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 18, 2024
Jalen Green on his Instagram story:
Rooting for him to figure it out… pic.twitter.com/IF4hXq93nP
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) January 18, 2024
