The Rockets led by 10 points in Friday’s second half, but they weren’t able to hold that lead in a deflating 126-122 overtime loss (box score) to the Spurs. Houston fell to 0-2 with the loss, while San Antonio improved to 1-1 on the young 2023-24 regular season.
The Rockets made just 10-of-20 free throws (50.0%), including a pair of costly misses by Jabari Smith Jr. in the final minute of regulation, when Houston was clinging to a narrow lead. By contrast, the Spurs made 21-of-28 from the free-throw line (75.0%).
Rookie big man Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, though Houston limited him to 7-of-19 shooting (36.8%). Rockets in double figures included:
- Alperen Sengun: 25 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists; 11-of-18 shooting (61.1%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 2-of-6 on free throws (33.3%)
- Fred VanVleet: 24 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds; 10-of-20 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
- Jalen Green: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists; 10-of-20 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Dillon Brooks: 17 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 13 points, 9 rebounds; 5-of-16 shooting (31.3%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 1-of-4 on free throws (25.0%)
Here are highlights and interviews from Friday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Sunday’s home opener versus Golden State, with tipoff at 6:00 p.m. Central.
Oct. 27 Rockets-Spurs reaction
Feel bad for the guys. They played super hard and just didn’t execute down the stretch.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) October 28, 2023
The Rockets progressed, Alperen Sengun played incredibly well, Fred VanVleet balled out.
It was a step forward after the Magic performance, but man is it painful.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 28, 2023
Brutal. Just needed one FT to win. Missed too many down the stretch. Yuck.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) October 28, 2023
Four #Rockets turnovers here in the overtime period, three of them by Alperen Sengun.
Tough.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 28, 2023
If the plan is to try to win this year, the Rockets probably need to start Tari over Jabari. If Jabari isn’t hitting his outside shots, there’s basically nothing he does at a high NBA level right now. He can’t create or defend.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) October 28, 2023
Jalen had a nice game
FVV had a nice game
Sengun had an awesome game
Still cant win because of refs + Jabari having a terrible game
For fuck sake man.
If we cant beat the Spurs or the Magic, its gonna be a rough season
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) October 28, 2023
Wemby has gotten a lot of “star” calls my god
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) October 28, 2023
Alperen Sengun with a NASTY poster over Zach Collins pic.twitter.com/gUzSA4S8Es
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) October 28, 2023
Man, I missed watching meaningful basketball. Whew. That was fun. Fred, Dillon, and Sengun were incredible.
Jalen was very good in the first half and smartly deferred in the second half when Alpi was cooking.
FVV/Sengun pick and roll is the team’s bread and butter right now.…
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) October 28, 2023
I don’t know what happens in overtime but I seriously watched a Rockets team milk Alperen Sengun in the post every trip down in crunch time like it was 1995 holy shit this is what I’ve been praying for
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) October 28, 2023
The people came to watch Wemby but Alperen Sengun is the show tonight.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) October 28, 2023
Sengun stock rising for me tonight. He’s capable of carrying a winning offense. But I need to see him defend vs teams with a real downhill guard before I can fully get there
— James Piercey (@JamesPiercey11) October 28, 2023
Bounce back game for Jalen Green.
22pts (10-20 FGs, 2-6 3ptrs), 5rbs, 4asts. #Rockets— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) October 28, 2023
Called it. #Rockets 10-20 on FTs. Including 2 misses from Jabari late in regulation. Brutal loss in a game they could have easily won. https://t.co/yHkA6YdUPE
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) October 28, 2023
Alperen Sengun: 25pts, 14rbs, 7asts, 2stls. What a monster game! Kudos to him. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) October 28, 2023
VanVleet bullies his way to the basket and told Wembanyama don’t jump pic.twitter.com/XeqUa1Jupo
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 28, 2023
Fred VanVleet is so freaking enjoyable to watch when considering the alternatives we've had since Harden was traded.
He can dribble and then shoot really good! He also makes smart passes and doesn't take stupid layups! He just did the Nash!
All in 1 player, is that legal?
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 28, 2023
I know why coach drew up that play. He needs Jabari Smith to be a confident shooter. But I would've preferred VanVleet going or Dillon Brooks going downhill and winning the game with a tough basket at the rim.
— Maya ♥️s 🚀🏀 (@RowdyMaya) October 28, 2023
Jabari trying to take Wembanyama off the dribble is extremely dumb.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) October 28, 2023
Houston choking this game away so hard.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) October 28, 2023
Jabari is SO close to putting it together but these little mistakes are disaster. Could have iced with free throws.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) October 28, 2023
Whew boy, Udoka's film session tomorrow is going to be an evisceration.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) October 28, 2023
.@alperennsengun did it all tonight!
📊 25 PTS
📊 14 REB
📊 7 AST
📊 11-18 FG pic.twitter.com/Em9TT2i4jv— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 28, 2023
The #Rockets have comfortably outplayed the Spurs today but they forgot how to shoot free throws so it’s actually a game… insane.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 28, 2023
Jabari Smith’s 3 point shooting and lateral quickness/footspeed transitioning from college to the NBA has been some SUPER eyebrow raising stuff.
Looked elite at both (the latter more for size) collegiately at Auburn, but it’s looking like it tricked us all.
— Sang (@SangRockets) October 28, 2023
LOOK AT THIS DEFENSIVE POSSESSION FROM JALEN GREEN
MUCH BETTER!!! #Rockets pic.twitter.com/wwSB3QYfhO
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) October 28, 2023
#Rockets coach Ime Udoka on Jalen Green:
“He is one of our best shot makers and creators…When we do need a basket, he is one of the main guys we can go to.” pic.twitter.com/ABqDmkGw9Y
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) October 27, 2023
How about Alperen Şengün (seemingly) hyping up and encouraging Jabari Smith Jr. after he missed the open look on the previous play. pic.twitter.com/EOO8BOMM4P
— Dream Goggles 💫🚀 (@Dream_Goggles) October 28, 2023
#Rockets fall to the Spurs in OT 126-122
Alperen Sengun (25 PTS, 14 REB, 7 AST) met with the media after the game@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/Rvvg9ioQpE
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 28, 2023
Final in OT#Rockets – 122
Spurs – 126Fred VanVleet with 24 PTS, 12 AST, 8 REB and spoke with the media after the game@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/RqENxJLnlv
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 28, 2023
#Rockets fall in OT to San Antonio 126-122
Jabari Smith Jr. met with the media after the game@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/6GNFJVz6GM
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 28, 2023
