Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green make strong returns in Rockets’ close loss to Lakers

After each missed Monday’s game and most of December with leg injuries, Houston’s young backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green made a wildly successful return on Tuesday versus the Los Angeles Lakers. But thanks to a masterpiece by NBA legend LeBron James, it still wasn’t enough to secure a win for the Rockets at Toyota Center.

James led the way with a game-high 32 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds, dragging his Lakers to a 132-123 win (box score). Former Rockets Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook scored 24 points apiece, including a combined 6-of-10 performance (60.0%) on 3-pointers.

Nonetheless, even on a night where Los Angeles (17-18) shot over 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range, the Rockets (10-25) more than held their own thanks to their backcourt of rising stars.

Green tallied a team-high 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting (50.0%), including 4-of-9 from 3-point range, (44.4%), and he scored 14 of those 24 in a dominant fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Porter added 22 points and 9 assists, helped by a 5-of-9 showing on 3-pointers (55.6%).

The Rockets briefly took a 118-117 lead with 2:38 left in the fourth quarter when Green scored on a driving layup courtesy of a James goaltend. But the bucket was wiped away after a controversial replay review overturned the goaltend, and Anthony buried a dagger 3-pointer on the other end to extend the Los Angeles lead to two possessions.

Houston struggled defensively all night, likely due in part to the absence of four rotation players (including defensive ace Jae’Sean Tate) to health and safety protocols. With Los Angeles missing Anthony Davis due to injury and playing agile, floor-spacing lineups with James at center, the Rockets struggled to keep up with off-ball actions. David Nwaba had 7 rebounds and 4 blocks and defended James well individually, but younger Rockets were often caught ball-watching or lost in their rotations, which allowed James to frequently find shooters or cutters.

Nonetheless, the Rockets hung in with the veteran-laden Lakers thanks to a sparkling performance of their own on offense. They shot 53.0% from the field and 16-of-35 on 3-pointers (45.7%), allowing them to overcome some of those defensive miscues. In addition to Green and Porter, other Houston players who scored in double-figures included:

Christian Wood: 22 points, 8-of-12 shooting (66.7%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals in 33 minutes
Eric Gordon: 13 points, 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers, 3 assists, 3 rebounds in 33 minutes
Armoni Brooks: 11 points, 3-of-9 shooting (33.3%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 2 assists in 25 minutes
Josh Christopher: 14 points, 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 3 steals, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 27 minutes
Alperen Sengun: 10 points, 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 2 rebounds, 1 block in 15 minutes

The Rockets now have two consecutive off days before a weekend back-to-back versus Miami on Friday and Denver on Saturday. Both games are at Toyota Center in Houston. For now, scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction following Tuesday’s fun game versus the Lakers.

Game Highlights

Jalen Green Highlights

Kevin Porter Jr. Highlights

Stephen Silas on Green, Porter

Silas expected to win

Silas on the Lakers

Silas, Green on the controversial call

Porter on defense, LeBron