In a dominant performance, Jalen Green showcased his skills by netting 22 of his total 29 points during the pivotal third quarter, leading the Houston Rockets to a commanding 135-112 victory over the undermanned Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.
Alperen Sengun contributed significantly with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Amen Thompson also impressed with 20 points and a remarkable 15 rebounds. Fred VanVleet chipped in with 19 points as well, helping the Rockets improve to a strong 6-1 record while playing against Eastern Conference teams on the road.
Despite a shaky start, the Rockets managed to bounce back from an early deficit, allowing Washington just 20 points in the first quarter, which marked the lowest total allowed by the last-place Wizards in any period this season.
Corey Kispert led the Wizards with 23 points, and Jonas Valanciunas added another 18, but it wasn’t enough to halt their third consecutive loss.
Notably, Washington’s leading scorer, Jordan Poole, missed his second straight game due to a bruised left hip, while fellow starter Kyle Kuzma had to leave the game at halftime due to a bruised right calf injury.
Insights
For the Rockets, Amen Thompson continues to make a name for himself in his second NBA season, delivering yet another impressive double-double. He recently recorded a season-high performance with 23 points along with a career-best 16 rebounds in a close win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
On the Wizards’ side, their marginal improvement to a 4-10 record will face challenges ahead if both Poole and Kuzma remain sidelined. Kuzma has only participated in half of Washington’s games this season, which creates additional pressure on the team.
Turning Point
The Rockets effectively sealed their victory with a powerful 21-6 run in the third quarter, pushing their advantage to 95-74. During this decisive stretch, Green played a crucial role by scoring 11 of those points, including three successful three-pointers.
Stat of the Game
The Wizards struggled with ball security, committing 18 turnovers that the Rockets capitalized on to score 35 points, marking the highest tally from turnovers against Washington so far this season.
What’s Next
The Wizards will travel to Philadelphia for their next game on Wednesday, while the Rockets prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.
