HOUSTON — In their final home game of their 2022-23 season, the young and rebuilding Rockets (20-60) pulled off perhaps their best win to date in Tuesday’s 124-103 blowout (box score) of Denver. The Nuggets (53-26) hold the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
The Rockets were led by second-year guard Jalen Green, who had 32 points on 12-of-27 shooting (44.4%) while going 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%). After missing all seven of his shots in the third quarter and picking up a technical due to his frustration with not getting calls from officials, Green responded with 16 points and 4 assists in a dominant fourth quarter as Houston pulled away.
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“The shots weren’t falling, he wasn’t as efficient as he’s been lately, but he didn’t stop,” head coach Stephen Silas said postgame. “He didn’t let that deter him. He stayed within his game. He can really, really score, and once he gets it going, it’s usually pretty good for us.”
The Rockets were a team-best +27 in Green’s minutes, and the 21-year-old was focused postgame on the result. Despite having one of the NBA’s worst records, the Rockets have defeated each of the top four teams (Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia, and Denver) by record.
“A bunch of our wins are against the best in the NBA right now,” Green said. “That’s when we play at our best. That’s hope for the future.”
Playing against back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic (14 points, 10 rebounds, 8 turnovers), young Rockets center Alperen Sengun (20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) had a fourth straight double-double in a performance that Silas called the best of his career on defense.
Rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. (16 points, 13 rebounds) had a double-double for the Rockets, as well, while Kevin Porter Jr. had 20 points to go with a team-high five 3-pointers and 9 assists.
Scroll on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and head coach Stephen Silas, and reaction from Houston fans and media members. The Rockets close out their 2022-23 schedule with road games on Friday and Sunday versus Charlotte and Washington.
I asked Stephen Silas about Jalen Green shaking off an 0-7 third quarter and officiating gripes to finish with 16 points and 4 assists in the fourth:
“It says a lot about him. The shots weren’t falling, he wasn’t as efficient as he’s been lately, but he didn’t stop.” #Rockets pic.twitter.com/Q8FhJijElI
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 5, 2023
The Rockets, at 20-60, have wins against the four teams with the best records in the NBA, Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia and Denver. Jalen Green: “A bunch of our wins are against the best in the NBA right now. That’s when we play at our best. That’s hope for the future.”
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 5, 2023
Here’s Stephen Silas on KPJ asking for Josh Christopher to stay in (over Kevin):
“That’s big-time maturity and growth from Scoot. That’s caring about his brother, caring about his team, and helping his coach. Moments like that are a coach’s dream.” #Rockets https://t.co/AtXZKSZQ0G pic.twitter.com/iHXo9rFMor
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 5, 2023
Silas: “These guys are young, but they care and they are starting to understand what’s important. They’re starting to understand that the togetherness part is a big part of it, but they’re also proud to be Houston Rockets, and they’re proud to play in front of these fans.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 5, 2023
Alperen Sengun (20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) had a big game versus back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic as the #Rockets crushed top-seeded Denver.
Stephen Silas: “I thought Alpi had the best defensive game of his career tonight. He did an amazing job. I was proud of him.” pic.twitter.com/0jQoHGfiNH
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) April 5, 2023
The Rockets absolutely washed the Denver Nuggets in the 4th quarter, winning it 38-18.
Whew.
Jalen Green had 32, Sengun 20 points, 7 assists, 3 Steals and 2 blocks, Porter with another 5 triples and 9 assists, 16 points & 13 rebounds for Jabari Smith. They got their 20th win!
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) April 5, 2023
I’m shocked how well they defended Jokic tonight, thought he was going to go crazy once Murray went down and the opposite happened
— Abel (@AbelGe87) April 5, 2023
Alperen Sengun vs Nikola Jokic tonight:
Sengun:
20 PTS – 10 REB – 7 AST – 50% FGNikola Jokic
14 PTS – 10 REB – 8 TOV – -21Rockets win by 21 ???? pic.twitter.com/ZDtKUteeP9
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 5, 2023
Stephen Silas says he has no update on KJ Martin, but thinks, hopes he’s okay.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 5, 2023
What a win for the #Rockets in their final home game of the season with a win over the #1 seed Denver Nuggets!
Jalen Green with 32pts, 4ast, 6rbs and team leading +27 to lead the way.
— Chris A. White ???? (@fyrebear) April 5, 2023
Jalen Green just used one dribble to push the ball ahead of two defenders at the free throw line in aggressive gap defense and was at the rim laying it up a split second later. That’s why if you don’t see his superstar offensive potential you are a moron.
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) April 5, 2023
These Rockets aren’t shutting it down like you might imagine. 1-2-3 Cancun? No.
— Jerome Solomon (@JeromeSolomon) April 5, 2023
Hell of a way to close out the final home game.#Rockets held the Nuggets to just 7 points before Denver pulled their starters in the fourth.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 5, 2023
Jalen literally plays his best basketball with Sengun, there’s a chemistry brewing. The DHO, scoop/dump off passes, the Rockets should build off of this next year
— DJ Stevo (@DJ_StevO_) April 5, 2023
Josh Christopher with a massive fourth quarter, and Silas is letting him stay in after previously having KPJ at the scorer’s table. KPJ standing and cheering him on from the bench.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 5, 2023
Another day, another Jalen 30 bomb. Bill Simmons crying in his car
— LebronJamesHarden™️ (@LBJamesHarden) April 5, 2023
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