- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,152,127
- Reaction score
- 59
HOUSTON -- The Rockets finished up a brief two-game homestand at Toyota Center with Friday’s 106-99 victory (box score) over the Trail Blazers.
Houston (39-23) and Portland (30-34) remain at No. 4 and No. 10, respectively, in the Western Conference standings. For the hosts, it was night two of a back-to-back after a heartbreaking overtime loss in Thursday’s opener versus Golden State.
With tired legs for veterans like Kevin Durant, the big story for the Rockets was third-year guard Amen Thompson. In a game-high 39 minutes, Thompson finished with 26 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals while making 11-of-12 shots (91.7%).
Houston was +12 in the 39 minutes that Thompson played and -5 in the nine minutes he sat out.
Other statistics of note included:
As the No. 4 seed, Houston remains in position to hold home-court advantage in at least one round of the 2026 West playoffs (which will feature eight teams).
Next up for Houston is Sunday’s nationally televised showdown at division rival San Antonio (45-18). Tipoff of Rockets-Spurs is at 7:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be aired on NBC and Peacock.
More: As minutes rise, Rockets guard Reed Sheppard focused on impact, not role
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: On elite efficiency, Amen Thompson lifts Rockets (39-23) over Blazers
Continue reading...
Houston (39-23) and Portland (30-34) remain at No. 4 and No. 10, respectively, in the Western Conference standings. For the hosts, it was night two of a back-to-back after a heartbreaking overtime loss in Thursday’s opener versus Golden State.
With tired legs for veterans like Kevin Durant, the big story for the Rockets was third-year guard Amen Thompson. In a game-high 39 minutes, Thompson finished with 26 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals while making 11-of-12 shots (91.7%).
Houston was +12 in the 39 minutes that Thompson played and -5 in the nine minutes he sat out.
Other statistics of note included:
- Durant: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 8 turnovers, 5 assists; 8-of-18 shooting (44.4%)
- Alperen Sengun: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 turnovers; 11-of-15 shooting (73.3%), 5-of-8 on free throws (62.5%)
- Reed Sheppard: 17 points, 6 assists, 3 blocks; 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%)
- Jrue Holiday (Trail Blazers): 20 points, 10 assists; 8-of-18 shooting (44.4%)
- Donovan Clingan (Trail Blazers): 18 points, 13 rebounds; 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%), 7-of-11 on free throws (63.6%)
As the No. 4 seed, Houston remains in position to hold home-court advantage in at least one round of the 2026 West playoffs (which will feature eight teams).
Next up for Houston is Sunday’s nationally televised showdown at division rival San Antonio (45-18). Tipoff of Rockets-Spurs is at 7:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be aired on NBC and Peacock.
More: As minutes rise, Rockets guard Reed Sheppard focused on impact, not role
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: On elite efficiency, Amen Thompson lifts Rockets (39-23) over Blazers
Continue reading...
