The Houston Rockets ended the Oklahoma City Thunder’s four-game winning streak with a close 119-116 victory on Sunday night. This win was marked by an impressive performance from Fred VanVleet, who scored a season-high 38 points. Dillon Brooks played a crucial role as well, hitting a go-ahead jump shot late in the game.
The match was tightly contested, with the score tied at 113 when Brooks made a critical jumper just before the shot clock expired, giving the Rockets a narrow lead with 33.1 seconds remaining. On the Thunder’s next possession, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed an opportunity to score, leading to Brooks securing the rebound. VanVleet was fouled shortly after and converted both free throws, extending the Rockets’ lead to 117-113 with just 4.6 seconds left on the clock.
Jalen Williams managed to bring the Thunder closer with a three-pointer that reduced the deficit to one point with 2.4 seconds remaining. However, VanVleet sealed the victory by making two additional free throws, ensuring the Rockets’ win. This victory marked Houston’s third straight win and their fifth in the last six games, displaying a notable turnaround after having lost to Oklahoma City 126-107 earlier in November.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a standout for the Thunder as well, contributing 32 points and marking his fourth consecutive game with 30 or more points, while also highlighting the strong return of Isaiah Hartenstein, who scored 19 points and secured 13 rebounds in his first games back after injury.
The Rockets showcased a well-rounded performance with four starters finishing in double figures: Alperen Sengun with 20 points, Dillon Brooks with 16, and Jabari Smith Jr. adding 15 points, demonstrating the team’s growing synergy and potential as the season progresses.
This game not only highlights the competitiveness in the league but also the improvement of the Rockets, who seem to be developing into a formidable team. Fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups as both teams continue to evolve throughout the season.