Despite 41 points by Jalen Green, the Houston Rockets lost their 12th straight game Wednesday, representing the NBA’s longest losing streak this season. They’ve now lost 17 of 18 games, overall, after a 122-117 setback (box score) versus the lowly Charlotte Hornets.
Charlotte (12-34) entered as the NBA’s second-worst team, on paper, and they lost superstar guard LaMelo Ball midway through the game with an injury. Even so, led by 26 points from Terry Rozier, the Hornets still had too much for lifeless Houston (10-35), which saw Jabari Smith Jr. leave early with a right ankle injury.
Notable statistics for the Rockets, who were again without Kevin Porter Jr. due to a left foot injury, included:
- Jalen Green: 41 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 turnovers; 16-of-24 shooting (66.7%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
- Alperen Sengun: 24 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals; 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%)
No other Houston player scored more than 11 points. Now in his second season, Green’s total of 41 tied his career high.
Scroll on for Wednesday’s highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Toyota Center. Houston returns to action Saturday night in Minnesota, with tipoff at 7 p.m. Central.
Sengun with 24/12/6 and Jalen Green with 41/7/5 in the same game and with both on excellent efficiency is one of the most encouraging things I’ve seen from the #Rockets in 3 years
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) January 19, 2023
The Houston #Rockets just lost to the Charlotte Hornets — who were missing LaMelo Ball for half the game.
Losing streak extends to 12 games, the longest by any team this season.
Rock, meet bottom.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 19, 2023
12th straight loss for the #Rockets — longest losing streak in the NBA this season. They also now have a two-win “lead” in the Lottery Race.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 19, 2023
Jabari limping off the court is a reminder that indeed, it can always get worse.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 19, 2023
Just a reminder that all the losses in the world don’t give the #Rockets better than a 14% chance at Wemby. They could also have a few more wins and would still have a 14% chance at Wemby.
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) January 19, 2023
Jalen Green: “I don’t like being on a losing streak, and this was the 12th game? We’re way better than that, so we just have to have short term memories and battle and battle these next couple of games.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 19, 2023
#Rockets +/- this game
1. Jae’Sean Tate (+14)
2. Jalen Green (+4)
3. G. Mathews (+4)
4. Alperen Sengun (+2)
5. Jabari Smith Jr (+1)
6. Tari Eason (-4)
7. Josh Christopher (-7)
8. Usman Garuba (-7)
9. KJ Martin (-11)
.
.
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10. Eric Gordon (-21)Rockets lost by 5. No improvement. pic.twitter.com/B3n6jbdxqa
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) January 19, 2023
“I’m trying to do my best but that’s not enough for the team,” Alperen Sengun said. “Everyone needs to get better.”
Specifically mentions lack of focus and defensive effort in the second half of games, and says that’s everyone’s resposibility.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 19, 2023
“He is very smooth on the court,” said Hornets guard LaMelo Ball when i asked him about Jalen Green. #Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 19, 2023
Alperen Sengun: “Maybe we are too young. Maybe we have some bad habits right now cause 12 (losses) in a row and I think everyone has it in their mind we’re going to lose, but we have to get over this, we just need to learn.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 19, 2023
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