Jabari Smith Jr. exploded for a monster 30 points and nine rebounds, leading the Houston Rockets to a decisive 119-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. This wasn’t just another game for the Rockets, it was a statement, especially with the Thunder reeling from some brutal news.
Rockets Catch Fire From Deep While Sengun Returns Strong
Man, when the Rockets get hot, they get *hot*. Smith Jr. wasn’t just scoring, he was doing it efficiently, hitting 10 of 18 shots from the field and an incredible 6 of 12 from downtown. But he wasn’t alone in lighting it up from beyond the arc. Marcus Smart was absolutely clutch, draining 7 of 10 three-pointers on his way to 24 points. As a team, Houston shot 46% overall and absolutely buried the Thunder with 18 of 41 three-pointers. Talk about a barrage! It wasn’t just the shooting, though. Alperen Sengun returned to the lineup after missing two games with lower back soreness and didn’t miss a beat, putting up a near triple-double with 16 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. Kevin Durant chipped in with 14 points, showing off the depth of this Rockets squad.
Thunder Hit a Wall as Holmgren News Delivers a Gut Punch
For the Thunder, this loss stings, marking their second straight defeat after an impressive 4-0 start to the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did his best to keep them in it, pouring in 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting, but he just didn’t have enough help. Kenrich Williams and Bennett Stirtz each added 11 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein and Jared McCain contributed 10 apiece, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Houston’s offensive explosion. The Thunder shot a decent 44% from the field, but their 10 of 32 from three-point range simply couldn’t keep pace. This tough loss comes right after the team announced Friday that Chet Holmgren will miss at least two months with a right knee injury. What a gut punch for a team that started so strong. Losing a talent like Holmgren for that long, especially this early in the season, is going to test their resolve big time.
The Rockets took control early, turning a 37-30 lead in the second quarter into a commanding 55-34 advantage with an 18-4 run capped by an Amen Thompson tip-in. While OKC managed to cut the lead to 62-51 by halftime, Houston slammed the door shut in the third, kicking off the quarter with an 8-0 run and extending their lead to 19 points on another Smith three-pointer. From that point on, Houston’s lead never dipped below 12 points. Adding to the Rockets’ depth, Fred VanVleet was out for right knee injury management and Reed Sheppard missed his second straight game with low back soreness, making the team’s performance even more impressive.
What’s next for these teams? The Thunder have to pick themselves up fast, heading to Cleveland for a Monday night matchup. Meanwhile, the red-hot Rockets host Boston on Monday night. It’s going to be a wild ride for both squads as they navigate the early season grind, especially with major injuries changing the landscape.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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