SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Houston Rockets faced yet another heart-wrenching late collapse, falling to the Sacramento Kings 125-124 in overtime on Sunday night at Golden1 Center. The defeat marked a recurring theme for the Rockets, who have struggled to maintain leads in crucial moments, having previously lost in overtime to the New Orleans Pelicans just days earlier.
Houston began the fourth quarter with a comfortable 91-82 lead but succumbed to a 10-0 run from the Kings, highlighted by a flurry of three-pointers from Keegan Murray and Dennis Schröder. The turning point occurred with under ten seconds remaining when Jabari Smith Jr. was fouled while attempting a three-pointer, making two of his three free throws, which allowed the Kings a slim chance to equalize.
With just seconds to spare, Schröder hit a crucial three-pointer, clinching the comeback for Sacramento and sealing the Rockets’ fate as they failed to capitalize on their final possession in regulation. This latest loss was the Rockets’ third in four games on their current road trip, further highlighting their late-game woes.
Alperen Şengün led the Rockets with a stellar performance, scoring 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting, contributing significantly to Houston’s early success with a standout first half. The Rockets showed promise, building a double-digit lead through a dominant second quarter, which saw them harness a 16-5 run that ended with an impressive halftime score of 68-57.
The Rockets have managed to find scoring balance with contributions from Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason, all reaching double figures in points. However, their inability to maintain focus and execute during crunch time has raised concerns as they continue their road trip, with two more games ahead.
As the Rockets regroup following this narrow defeat, fans can still hold onto hope that the team’s growing chemistry and individual talents will eventually lead to more promising outcomes in their future matchup. There’s still a sense of potential for the Rockets to learn from their mistakes and build resilience as the season unfolds.