Fred VanVleet led the way with 22 points and 11 assists as the Rockets (1-3) picked up their first win of the 2023-24 regular season with Wednesday’s 128-119 victory (box score) over Charlotte (1-3). Rookie guard Amen Thompson left early with a right ankle sprain.
For VanVleet, Houston’s flagship signing in 2023 free agency, it was the second time in three games he has scored 20-plus points while dishing at least 10 assists. VanVleet largely outplayed star Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, who had 19 points and 5 assists.
As a team, the Rockets made 21-of-37 from 3-point range (56.8%), which was easily their best performance of the season to date. VanVleet led the way with five makes in 10 attempts (50%).
All five of Houston’s starters scored in double figures. Other standouts from Wednesday’s game included:
- Jalen Green: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50%), 7-of-7 on free throws
- Dillon Brooks: 20 points, 5 assists, 5 steals; 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%), 3-of-3 on 3-pointers
- Alperen Sengun: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists; 9-of-12 shooting (75%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists; 7-of-10 shooting (70%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%)
Here are highlights and interviews from Wednesday night, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston as the seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, continues at Toyota Center is Saturday’s matchup versus Sacramento. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.
Nov. 1 Rockets-Hornets reaction
#Rockets WIN !!!!!
Dillon Brooks
20 PTS / 7-9 FG / 3-3 3PT / 5 STL / 5 AST / 3 REB@SportsVanessa talked with Brooks after the 128-119 win over the Hornets pic.twitter.com/L212vbvi0V— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 2, 2023
Dillon Brooks on the #Rockets young players tonight: "A lot of fight. There's a lot more learning to do, but this is one game where we can learn how to win, finish games off and keep it rolling throughout the season."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 2, 2023
Fred VanVleet was stellar with another 20/10 game.
Jalen was hot early, cold in the middle, then showed up again late.
Dillon Brooks was terrific on defense with FIVE steals.
Jabari hit some big shots and looked really good on defense.
Sengun dominated Williams inside. https://t.co/yl7ZzvsjUb
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 2, 2023
Grade two ankle sprain for Amen Thompson, per Ime Udoka.
That's not good. That's what he suffered in summer league to his other ankle, and the #Rockets called it a 2-4 week absence.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 2, 2023
Sengun with a violent left-handed slam, pushes lead to nine, 39.4 left. Jalen Green pass was the Rockets 35th assist, more than in any game last season.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 2, 2023
Squad let it fly tonight!
21 made triples 🎯 pic.twitter.com/KG37znw0G3
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 2, 2023
Rockets beat Charlotte:
1. Fred Van Vleet has his second 20/10 game as a Rocket. Dude has hit big shots and been a great leader
2. Jabari Smith was very good. Made 3P shots, moved the ball & was a plus on defense
3. Sengun was efficient and very effective yet again. The…
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 2, 2023
The Hornets matched Mark Williams' minutes with Sengun's and Sengun thoroughly outplayed him. Mark Williams only had 9 points and 6 rebounds. Sengun is dispelling concerns about his defense against bigger players with each passing game.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 2, 2023
Rockets rookie Amen Thompson has a Grade 2 ankle sprain and will leave Toyota Center on crutches. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 2, 2023
With Tari Eason out and Amen Thompson likely to miss a month or more, the #Rockets will be in a bind with a tough schedule coming up. The bench right now is Jae'Sean Tate, Jeff Green, Jock Landale and Aaron Holiday.
They might have to try Cam Whitmore sooner than planned.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 2, 2023
Aaron Holiday has been really good in his minutes, just working hard, being unselfish, and hitting his 3s. Looking forward to watching more of him in the rotation even after Amen gets back, whenever that is.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 2, 2023
One of the Dillon Brooks games where you fully understand why he got the money he did this summer. Incredibly impactful on both ends of the floor tonight.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 2, 2023
“Hey man, it’s hard as hell to win in this league, can’t take none of these for granted.” #Rockets @FredVanVleet with @SportsMT & myself on his postgame interview on @SportsTalk790 pic.twitter.com/44fXsUYy5L
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) November 2, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 17 points, 13 came in the second half. He also added six rebounds, four assists and a block.
Coach Ime Udoka on Smith’s performance against the Hornets. pic.twitter.com/zGkiDFFY1V
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) November 2, 2023
I really cannot emphasize how good Dillon Brooks has been through 3.5 games in a Houston #Rockets jersey.
He's not shot chucking. He's not ball hogging. He's playing well within the flow of the offense, making very intelligent reads.
And his defense is absolutely insane.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) November 2, 2023
I hope all the jokes are out the window:
but I don’t want to see anyone try and claim “the #Rockets are the worst team in the NBA” anymore going forward.
That’s far from true.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) November 2, 2023
One thing about these rockets is I’ve never seen such balanced scoring across a starting lineup. Sheesh
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) November 2, 2023
#Rockets beat Charlotte 128-119
Fred VanVleet 22 PTS & 11 AST@HoustonRockets shooting tonight
52.4 FG% / 56.8 3PT% (21-37) pic.twitter.com/9WzqLj59iv— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 2, 2023
