The Houston Rockets finally appeared to be on the path to optimal health and momentum in the competitive Western Conference, thanks to a replenished roster with the return of two key wing players.
Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith lengthened the Rockets’ rotation and played a role in a four-game winning streak that helped erase the memory of a rough holiday trip.
But then, after going two games without All-Star center Alperen Sengun, the Rockets lost Sengun again in a 110-104 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday due to a sprained right ankle.
The Rockets will host the Phoenix Suns again on Monday shorthanded. Sengun missed four games with illness and calf soreness before going down just 64 seconds into the game in Dallas. Behind Kevin Durant, who combined for a game-high 34 points with seven assists, the Rockets built an 11-point lead before falling apart with Sengun sidelined.
“It’s always an adjustment for a team when one of the main players goes out on a play like that,” Durant said. “We prepared for (the Mavericks) with Alpy in the lineup. All we did was prepare with our center in the lineup. For him to be knocked out of the game with a serious injury, it’s tough for us, but I like how we were all pros. We were able to turn things around and gain some momentum regardless.
“We hope he recovers quickly, but in the meantime we will have to pick up the slack for him and keep him going.”
Veteran Steven Adams replaced Sengun before injuring his ankle recently against the Indiana Pacers and missing both games on a quick road trip through Brooklyn and Dallas. The Rockets have managed to mix and match lineups based on their depth, but their rotation will be challenged with Sengun and Adams unavailable.
Sengun is listed as out for Monday’s game, while Adams is questionable on the injury report.
The sooner one or both returns, the sooner the Rockets can get back on track to challenge the West’s top contenders.
The Suns won for the sixth time in seven games by beating the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 108-105 on Sunday. Phoenix ended an eight-game series skid when Devin Booker hit a tiebreaker 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left and capped an 18-point comeback.
Without Jalen Green (hamstring) and Grayson Allen (knee), the Suns relied on a balanced approach to scoring. Booker, as expected, spearheads the offensive attack. Still, Phoenix thrived thanks to the contributions of Dillon Brooks and his career-high 21.4 points per game, in addition to Collin Gillespie, Mark Williams and Royce O’Neale averaging double figures in scoring.
Against the Thunder, Jordan Goodwin scored a career-high 26 points while making a career-best eight 3-pointers. If there’s a surprise team in the West, it’s the Suns.
“We’re strong,” Goodwin said. “We already know we can compete with anyone in this league. We just have to go out there and prove it every night. As far as confidence goes, we’re confident every time we hit the field.”
–Field level media
