NBA: Jabari Smith Jr. scores 30 as Rockets beat short-handed Thunder 119-98 in Houston
Jabari Smith Jr. hit six threes in a 30-point night as Houston beat an Oklahoma City side missing Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace 119-98.
The Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-98 at home on Saturday 31 October. Jabari Smith Jr. led the way with 30 points and nine rebounds, and Marcus Smart added 24. The Thunder were missing three injured starters, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, and have now lost two games in a row after starting the season 4-0. In Malaysia the game finished on Sunday morning.
Smith and Smart set the tone
Smith made 10 of 18 shots, including 6 of 12 from three-point range, and also had five assists. Smart started in place of Fred VanVleet, who was rested to manage his right knee, and scored 12 points in the first quarter on his way to 24. He made 7 of 10 three-pointers.
Alperen Sengun had 16 points and nine rebounds in his return from two games out with lower back soreness. Kevin Durant scored 14. Houston made 18 of 41 three-pointers as a team.
Houston led 35-26 after the first quarter and later went 21 points clear. Oklahoma City outscored the Rockets over the last minutes of the half to trail 62-51 at the break. The Rockets then started the third quarter with an 8-0 run, led 92-75 going into the fourth and were ahead by as many as 27.
Thunder feel the injury losses
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting and briefly cut the gap to 13 in the third quarter. He got little help: Kenrich Williams and Bennett Stirtz scored 11 each, while Isaiah Hartenstein and Jared McCain added 10 apiece. Oklahoma City made only 10 of 32 three-point attempts.
This was the Thunder's first game since the team announced on Friday that Holmgren will miss at least two months with a right knee injury. With Jalen Williams and Wallace also out long term, Oklahoma City are working with a much thinner rotation than usual. Gilgeous-Alexander will need more help from the bench if the Thunder are to stop this losing run quickly.
Houston bounce back
The Rockets responded well after Friday's road loss in Dallas, their first defeat of the season. Reed Sheppard also missed this game with low back soreness, so Houston won comfortably while missing two guards.
What's next
The Thunder visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night US time, and the Rockets host the Boston Celtics the same night. Both games will be played on Tuesday morning, 3 November, Malaysia time.
Key takeaways
- Rockets 119, Thunder 98, with Jabari Smith Jr. scoring 30 points and making six threes.
- Marcus Smart, starting in place of the rested Fred VanVleet, scored 24 and made 7 of 10 threes.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 for Oklahoma City.
- The Thunder played without Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace.
- Oklahoma City have lost two in a row after a 4-0 start.
FAQ
Who led the Rockets against the Thunder? Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points with nine rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart added 24.
How long is Chet Holmgren out? The Thunder said on Friday that he will miss at least two months with a right knee injury.
When do the Rockets and Thunder play next? Both play on Monday night US time, which is Tuesday morning in Malaysia: Oklahoma City at Cleveland, and Houston at home to Boston.
Sources: Associated Press via Yahoo Sports, Yardbarker, NBA.com