Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Rockets blast Lakers as surge continues for Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore

Jalen Green Cam Whitmore Rockets LA (Organization) Lakers Ben DuBose Alperen Sengun Dillon Brooks LeBron James Anthony Davis

HOUSTON — In the opener of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets won a potentially critical game in the Western Conference standings race with Monday’s 135-119 victory (box score) over the LeBron James- and Anthony Davis-led Los Angeles Lakers.

With the win, Houston (22-24) is tied in the loss column with the Lakers and Jazz, who are both 24-24. Los Angeles and Utah are ninth and 10th in the West standings, which will eventually represent the final spots in the conference’s play-in tournament for the 2023-24 NBA playoffs.

The Rockets are well positioned for a potential tiebreaker against either team. Houston split its four-game season series with the Lakers, but holds a five-game lead in the loss column by conference record, which would be the next criteria. The Rockets have won their only game versus Utah to date.

As for Monday’s game, the Rockets led by double digits from the end of the first quarter onward. The individual standouts included third-year prospect Jalen Green and rookie Cam Whitmore. Both talented guards have played extremely well in recent games, and neither showed any signs of slowing down versus the Lakers.

Led by Green and Alperen Sengun, the impressive totals included:

  • Green: 34 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists; 12-of-23 shooting (52.2%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40%), 6-of-6 on free throws
  • Sengun: 31 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals; 14-of-23 shooting (60.9%)
  • Whitmore: 20 points, 6 rebounds in 18 minutes; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 4-of-6 on free throws (66.7%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals in 36 minutes; 8-of-13 shooting, 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 17 points, 3 rebounds in 28 minutes; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers
  • Fred VanVleet: 3 points, 14 assists, 2 steals in 37 minutes; 0-of-4 on 3-pointers

Whitmore has scored at least 19 points in three consecutive games, while Green has scored 29 or more in four straight.

Davis had 23 points and 7 rebounds in 29 minutes for the Lakers, shooting 10-of-20 from the field (50%) while making all three of his 3-pointers. James added 23 points and 10 assists in 37 minutes, shooting 9-of-15 overall (60%) and 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%).

Smith was returning from a four-game absence due to a sprained left ankle and looked quite fresh over his 31 minutes.

Here’s our look at Monday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the homestand continues, next up for the Rockets is Wednesday’s matchup versus the New Orleans Pelicans (26-20). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.

Jan. 29 Rockets-Lakers reaction

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
From frozen to feast, how to safely defrost your Thanksgiving turkey
Experts have recommended three different methods to defrost your turkey for Thanksgiving dinner
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
“One of the most important guitars in rock and roll history”: George Harrison’s Futurama smashes auction estimate and sets a new record with staggering $1.27 million sale
The oddball electric – which was used during the Beatles’ early years, and saw action in over 300 historic shows – becomes the most expensive electric guitar formerly owned by a Beatle to sell at auction
Guitar World
Guitar World
Keke Palmer: I'm living life on my own terms
Keke Palmer has revealed that she feels proud to be living life "on [her] own terms".
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun buys $6 million banana—and plans to eat it unless Elon Musk wants to send it to space
Sun outbid six others for the iconic work.
Fortune
Fortune
Paul Simon names the fan-favorite song he’ll never perform again
The folk rock icon said his hearing loss has limited the songs he can perform live
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
“We’re doing my first-ever gig with Nirvana on SNL. What I didn’t know was there was a discussion about my guitar like, ‘No, we can’t let him on stage’”: Pat Smear’s first Nirvana appearance almost didn’t happen – because of his guitar
Smear had bought a 1982 Charvel when he was playing with Nina Hagen – but the guitar didn't quite impress the Nirvana troupe
Guitar World
Guitar World
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play