The NBA is barely over a month into its 2023-24 regular season, yet due to a scheduling quirk, the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets have already met three times (with a fourth looming next week).
This time, on night two of a road back-to-back, it’s the Rockets who were more short-handed. Starting point guard Fred VanVleet (left thumb sprain) and reserve forward Jae’Sean Tate (left knee soreness) each missed their first game of the season with nagging injuries.
On the other side, Jamal Murray returned from a lengthy hamstring injury, which forced him to miss the earlier Denver-Houston games. Between that and a 30-point outburst by Michael Porter Jr., who made 7-of-12 from 3-point range (58.3%), it was enough for the Nuggets (13-6) to secure a 134-124 win (box score).
Perennial All-Star center and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic was dominant, as usual, with 32 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds, shooting 12-of-19 from the field (63.2%) on Wednesday night.
Yet, the Rockets (8-8) did have clear positives, starting with Jalen Green. The third-year shooting guard, who has largely struggled on the road this season, finished with 26 points and 9 assists while shooting an impressive 8-of-12 from the field (66.7%), 5-of-8 on 3-pointers (62.5%), and 5-of-6 on free throws (83.3%). Alperen Sengun added 22 points and 7 rebounds on 10-of-18 shooting (55.6%).
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Wednesday’s game in Denver, along with reaction by media members and fans. The Los Angeles Lakers (10-8) are next up on Houston’s schedule, with Saturday’s road tipoff set for 9:30 p.m. Central.
Schedule loss, but good loss. Learned a bit about what the young guys can potentially do without FVV always by their side.
Patience is key.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) November 30, 2023
Huge credit to the Rockets for not letting go of the rope in this one.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 30, 2023
What Jalen has done to a good young defender in Christian Braun in the month of November is criminal.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) November 30, 2023
Jalen Green was passive in the first quarter, but he’s been terrific in this third quarter. And *everything* has been within the constraints of the offense. NO bad shots so far.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 30, 2023
Jalen’s potential assists tonight will be through the roof.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) November 30, 2023
Tweeted this right before the barrage – reason being, I thought he was not turning the ball over, making good reads, and staying within the offense
Then was ready / in rhythm when Ime gave him the Green light. https://t.co/PJppdRlmqt
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) November 30, 2023
This is Jalen Green’s best game this season — he’s 8-11 from the field (5-7 3P) for 24 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds with the fourth quarter still to go. He dropped 19 in the third quarter alone.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 30, 2023
Don’t even care about the #Rockets loss tonight.
Most importantly we got to see “lead guard” Jalen Green with 9 assists and only 2 turnovers. Couple that with “SG Jalen” with 26pts (5-8 3ptrs) and he had a really complete game. Just very encouraging for him to flash like that.— Chris A. White ???? (@fyrebear) November 30, 2023
I am very impressed with the Rockets tonight…Especially Jalen Green…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 30, 2023
Sengun is pretty much the only reason this isn’t Nuggets by 30 right now, which is a real testament to him.
(Also no blame on Houston, this is a nightmare spot, SEGABABAltitude vs. a team they beat twice in Houston, getting Murray back.)
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 30, 2023
I’m just focusing on the positives tonight and that’s that three out of Jalen Green’s last four games have been excellent. That’s continued progress in the big picture.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 30, 2023
Jokic dominated the Rockets inside and MPJ did the same from the outside as Houston gets roughed up 134-124, falling to 0-7 on the road and 8-8 on the year. The good news: Jalen Green (26 pts, 9 asts, 6 reb, 8-12 FG) played very well running some point in the absence of FVV.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 30, 2023
Least surprising outcome of the season. Not much to take from this game other than Jalen again showing star potential in the third but other than that not much
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 30, 2023
At the very least it is good to see Jalen have a good road game and Reggie Bullock making shots
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 30, 2023
19 points in the 3rd Q for Jalen Green.
It all started when the #Rockets ran a DHO between Jalen and Sengun.
After Sengun checked out, #Rockets went to a lot of 1-4 flat isolations. A mix of high pick-and-roll. He also displayed good passing coming out of double drag actions.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) November 30, 2023
This 3rd quarter from Jalen Green is great and all, but it makes the inconsistent play before even more confounding. #Rockets #HTownHoops
— B. Scott from Hiram Clarke (@brandonkscott) November 30, 2023
Best road Jalen Green game this season. Well done. Picking his spots and bring decisive, making good decisions
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 30, 2023
Rockets lose 134-124. Not much defense was being played.
They were always going to lose without Fred and Jae’Sean, but they made it fun. Jalen Green was absolutely remarkable with a highly efficient 26/6/9. 22 Points for Sengun as well.
Back to. 500
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 30, 2023
Very nice 5 minute stint for Cam Whitmore. 7 Points on 3-3 shooting, active defensively. Hopefully it helps him get some burn in the near future.
Tonight’s game might have done more harm than good in that department, though, because Reggie Bullock remembered to hit some 3s.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 30, 2023
Man, Sengun’s defense has been atrocious. Tough to win when you’re unable to secure the rebound the few times you are able to force some misses.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 30, 2023
Really discouraging stuff defensively from Alpi since last night, he reverted to some of those bad habits of old and just didn’t defend anyone or crash the glass, just focusing on scoring isn’t going to help the team against the elites
— Abel (@AbelGe87) November 30, 2023
Jeff Green ring update: it has been changed to the recently added game next Friday December 8th in Denver.
More Nuggets representation will be able to attend and more of Jeff’s family can be in Denver that couldn’t make it tonight.
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) November 30, 2023
On one hand, it’s still too early for Cam Whitmore because his game still needs polishing.
On the other hand, the #Rockets need a SG who can hit 3s, aggressively create for himself, finish at the rim with authority, and make plays defensively. And that sounds like Cam Whitmore.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 29, 2023
Some thoughts:
– Disappointed in Alpi as well but let’s not act like the whole entire team was a defensive powerhouse. Everyone lacked energy.
– Great comeback game for Jalen. It’s always been mental and consistency for him. Simple
– NBA scheduling really sucks.
— Mitty (@MittyRockets) November 30, 2023
Nothing to take away from tonight with the loss.. every team loses a back to back against 2 contenders with the 2nd one ending in Denver.
— Apathetic (@ftank58) November 30, 2023
Hopefully Ime goes over film with Alpi and gets him back to what was working, we need him to make a better effort just contesting around the rim because on several drives he’s right there and he’s choosing not to do it, need the effort to be better on D and on the glass
— Abel (@AbelGe87) November 30, 2023
Udoka to @Jonathan_Feigen on Jalen: “I think the 2H was much better, his energy was up…I told him, bring that energy and focus from the start. Not when you’re only scoring. He started defending, passing better, rebounding better. I want him to be that aggressive from the start.”
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) November 30, 2023
Coach Udoka took the words out my mind.. Jalen can’t only start playing aggressive and good defense when his shot dropping.. by the end of this year I want his energy across the board to be like it was in that 3rd quarter every second he’s on the court shooting good or bad
— Apathetic (@ftank58) November 30, 2023
Tari Eason is somehow +8 in this game
He does it every night
This is not a coincidence— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) November 30, 2023
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