In the opener of a three-game road trip and their second game of the NBA’s new in-season tournament, the Houston Rockets (6-4, 1-1 in West Group B) had their six-game winning streak snapped courtesy of Friday’s 106-100 loss (box score) to the host Clippers. With the victory, Los Angeles (4-7, 1-2) ended a six-game losing streak.
James Harden, formerly a franchise icon with the Rockets, connected on a tiebreaking 4-point play with only 6.0 seconds left to play. Harden led the way for the Clippers with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting 8-of-11 from the field (72.7%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%), and 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%) versus the Rockets.
Houston’s standout players included:
- Alperen Sengun: 23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 turnovers; 8-of-18 shooting (44.4%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%), 5-of-7 free throws (71.4%)
- Jalen Green: 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds; 5-of-16 shooting (31.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%), 9-of-10 free throws (90.0%)
- Fred VanVleet: 19 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds; 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%), 5-of-9 on 3-pointers (55.6%)
- Tari Eason: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks in 20 minutes; 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%)
Kawhi Leonard finished with a game-high 26 points and 5 steals for Los Angeles, shooting 8-of-16 overall and 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%). Paul George added 23 points for the Clippers with four 3-pointers, though Houston limited him to 8-of-22 shooting (36.4%).
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews from late Friday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Sunday’s matchup versus the Lakers, also at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. Central.
Nov. 17 Rockets-Clippers reaction
FINAL: Clippers 106, Rockets 100. 6-game winning streak snapped as a turnover, missed free throw and a Harden 4-point play buries Houston in the final minute. Hell of a game and Rockets clearly are a changed basketball team.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 18, 2023
James Harden burns the Rockets in the waning seconds pic.twitter.com/5DCoV8zy8Z
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 18, 2023
This has been an incredible game. What a change to see Houston Rockets basketball be intense and meaningful again.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 18, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. with a clutch triple out of a timeout. pic.twitter.com/h0p0V5yU65
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 18, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. with a clutch triple out of a timeout. pic.twitter.com/h0p0V5yU65
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 18, 2023
Biggest takeaway of the game for me was Jabari Smith looking legit in the clutch. He had multiple possessions of excellent defense against both Kawhi and Harden. Hit a big 3 and a big fadeaway as well. He rose to the occasion.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 18, 2023
Of course it would be James Harden. LOL
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 18, 2023
I’m not sure if we’re going to win, but whew…this Rockets team is tough.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 18, 2023
Ime Udoka on how to defend without fouling:
"Being disciplined. We got too grabby and reachy. We want to be physical without fouling."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 18, 2023
James Harden gets his revenge shot against the Rockets, whose decision not to bring him back to Houston last summer played a massive part in his messy Philly exit. And the Clippers, who had lost six straight and all five since Harden came to town, finally get a win.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) November 18, 2023
Going to be just fine this team competes!!!!
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) November 18, 2023
It was always going to be James. What a shot. pic.twitter.com/iSz0ayzBlI
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 18, 2023
Sengun drawing Kawhi as the clutch time defender. How's that for earned respect.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 18, 2023
If the NBA’s goal was to make In-Season tournament games intense… mission accomplished.
Seems like most IST games have been physical with an almost playoff-like atmosphere.
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) November 18, 2023
Really impressed by how the Rockets have dictated pace in this game. They're just going to drag you to hell no matter what.
Rockets-Heat and Rockets-Raptors are going to be beautiful disasters.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 18, 2023
Know the Rockets lost, but they’re tough as hell. Udoka can really coach. Think the level they’re defending at seems pretty sustainable as long as they stay healthy. And for as long as they defend like this, they’ll stay in games even against tough teams.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 18, 2023
I think the layoff from playing, kind of hurt the Rockets as well. A lot of bad fouls, missed defensive assignments, and turnovers. #Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 18, 2023
WAKE UP EVERYONE
SENGUN PUT EM ON A POSTER‼️ pic.twitter.com/7Sl7Pf7YyA
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 18, 2023
Aaron Holiday legitimately makes the #Rockets bench better
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 18, 2023
TARI EASON POSTER ALERT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/qInQOPC6U2
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 18, 2023
This team is resilient.
The #Rockets made mistakes late that cost them this game, but to be down as many as 10 and have a chance to win late despite the officiating shitshow is impressive.
On to the next one. https://t.co/CI13oMOx5E
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 18, 2023
That stretch we just saw where the #Rockets went on a 14-3 run to take the lead is the first time we’ve seen Jalen, Jabari, and Sengun all peaking at the same time. Looked pretty awesome.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 18, 2023
Video evidence of the type of game the NBA officials are calling. If you aren't calling this a foul, what are we doing here!?!? #Rockets https://t.co/kqNK0fscGw
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 18, 2023
Alperen Sengun through 10 games:
19.8 PPG
8.2 RPG
5.8 APG
1.0 SPG
62% TSTop-five offensive center in the league at 21 years old
Early MIP favorite?#Rockets pic.twitter.com/a287EdnXbm
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) November 18, 2023
The Rockets lose. Ugh, that one was close. Fun game. Harden came up bigger than Jalen did.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 18, 2023
The #Rockets go to Şengün in the clutch and he draws the foul on Kawhi… pic.twitter.com/jdCg3WTJtl
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) November 18, 2023
Tari Eason should probably be playing more. I'd kind of like to see what a VanVleet, Brooks, Eason, Smith, Sengun lineup would like
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 18, 2023
Honestly I didn’t see anything in this game that would have me concerned going forward except the Rockets have to get something from Jock Landale with them already not having a lot of depth in the front court
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 18, 2023
REAL PAIN
So this is what it feels like to be on the other end of one of these shots by Harden https://t.co/2Twfr9mFhe pic.twitter.com/mQu4eNA4TV
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) November 18, 2023
