The Houston Rockets faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, aiming for a much-needed victory to bolster their position in the competitive Western Conference. Unfortunately for Houston, the evening ended in disappointment, as they fell to the Thunder 111-91, marking another setback as they look to regain momentum in the second half of the season.
In their previous matchup earlier this season, the Thunder triumphed in a dramatic double-overtime game, and with the Rockets now slipping to sixth in the West, securing a win was crucial. However, the Rockets struggled significantly on both ends of the court, ultimately leading to an unsharp performance.
The defensive prowess of the Thunder was a defining factor in this game. Both teams are known for their strong defensive capabilities, but on this occasion, Oklahoma City proved to be the more formidable force, constricting the Rockets’ offensive efforts. The Rockets managed to shoot only 34% from the field, and the absence of their leading playmaker, Fred VanVleet, loomed large as they struggled to create quality scoring opportunities.
Rookie sensation Chet Holmgren was a standout for the Thunder, effectively patrolling the paint and recording four blocks. Contributing to the collective effort, the Thunder registered a total of 12 blocks and nine steals, showcasing their defensive dominance, particularly during a crucial 13-4 run in the fourth quarter that sealed the game.
While the Rockets excelled in rebounding—outperforming the Thunder 60 to 44 overall and securing 23 offensive boards—their efforts in this area were not enough to change the outcome. Oklahoma City was missing starting center Isaiah Hartenstein, which allowed Houston’s twin towers, Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, to capitalize on the rebounding battle. Early in the game, the Rockets made the most of second-chance points, keeping the game competitive.
However, the Rockets’ persistent issues with their long-range shooting plagued them again, shooting just 29% from beyond the arc (7-for-24). Despite having one of their players, Jabari Smith Jr., contribute nearly half of Houston’s total three-pointers, the team still struggled to find a rhythm and continually fell behind in the scoring.
Looking to bounce back from this disappointment, the Rockets are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 16 at 8:30 p.m. CT, where they will aim to regain their footing and enhance their playoff positioning. As the season progresses, the Rockets will need to address their shooting difficulties and find ways to better mesh their strengths, particularly on offense, to achieve success.