The losing streak for the young and rebuilding Rockets is now at 11 games after Wednesday’s 113-99 home loss (box score) to visiting Memphis. It was the second straight night for Houston to play one of the two top teams in the Western Conference, and as one might expect, the team with the NBA’s worst record wasn’t close in either.
The Grizzlies (37-23), who are No. 2 in the West standings, were led by sharpshooting guard Desmond Bane — who had 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists on 12-of-17 shooting (70.6%), including 6-of-9 on 3-pointers (66.7%). The Rockets, now on their second double-digit losing streak of the 2022-23 season, fell to 13-49 with the loss.
Kevin Porter Jr. returned from a seven-week injury absence, posting 11 points and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes. However, he shot just 3-of-11 from the field (27.3%) and was occasionally seen limping. Head coach Stephen Silas acknowledged postgame that Porter’s toe would likely be somewhat of a problem for the rest of the season.
In his second game back from a groin injury, Jalen Green led the Rockets with 20 points and 3 assists in 29 minutes, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range (57.1%). KJ Martin added 19 points and 6 rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting (66.7%) and 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%).
Second-year center Alperen Sengun tallied 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in 31 minutes while making 5-of-6 shots (83.3%).
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Next up for Houston is a weekend back-to-back versus the Spurs, with part one in San Antonio on Saturday night. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. Central.
#Rockets lose to the Grizzlies, 113-99. Porter (toe) returns after missing 20 games, scores 11 pts. Green 20 pts. Martin 19pts
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) March 2, 2023
Tari with another very solid night, right now it’s not close between him and Jabari when it comes to positive impact in games
— Abel (@AbelGe87) March 2, 2023
Apparently seeking to get some work in for starters with two off days before the showdown series with the Spurs, Silas returns Green, Sengun and Porter to the floor down 27.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 2, 2023
Memphis entered the 4th quarter 12 for 31 from three. Then, Grizzlies made first 5 three-point attempts in the 4th.
Rockets trail 113-90 with 4:31 to go in the game.
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) March 2, 2023
TyTy Washington Jr. is out for the rest of the game with a migraine.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 2, 2023
The #Rockets have lost 11 in a row.
That’s also 6 consecutive losses by 10+ points.
It’s been a month since they’ve won a game, and 3 weeks since they were able to keep it within 10.
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) March 2, 2023
Green is shooting 4-of-7 from 3-point range heading into the fourth; it is the 36th time in his career that he has hit 4+ 3FGM; that is the second-highest total by a player through the first 123 games played of a career (Duncan Robinson w/51 games).
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) March 2, 2023
It is impossible to win a game playing well for only one-half…Once the Rockets learn that, they will be a very good team…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 2, 2023
???? Alperen Şengün just passed Nikola Jokić for the most assists for a Center before turning 22 in NBA history:
Şengün: 405 AST — 129 games
Jokić: 402 AST — 129 gamesŞengün is still 20 and doesn’t turn 22 for another 500+ days (7/25/2024) pic.twitter.com/45mkNH2vUJ
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 2, 2023
Alperen Sengun is shooting 50 percent from behind the three-point line since January 1, problem is he’s only attempted 16. He has to start shooting more, especially when he has clean looks against the league’s number 2 defense
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 2, 2023
It’s ok, next year we’ll all be in the Sire Spirits lounge drinking champagne and laughing about this while watching James Harden and Victor Wembanyama in Rockets unis. https://t.co/yiCIbIYlZ3
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) March 2, 2023
It seeems like Jalen has taken a leap leadership wise since coming back from injury. Idk he just seems different. More locked in on both sides, giving energy, finding teammates, taking matchups personal. I’m so ecstatic to have this dude as my franchise cornerstone
— Xavier Thibodeaux (@zayiceman171) March 2, 2023
We all knew the Rockets would be bad this year. I thought before the season they would be one of those “fun bad” teams, that are exciting to watch and show flashes…that has unfortunately not been the case.
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) March 2, 2023
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