Rockets 117-106 Clippers (December 8, 2024) Game Recap

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Jalen Green scored 31 points, Amen Thompson added 22 and the Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 117-106 on Sunday night.

The Rockets ended a two-game break without starter Fred VanVleet, who missed his first game of the season because of a bruised right knee.

Bones Hyland led the Clippers with 22 points off the bench, making a team-best five 3-pointers, and Ivica Zubac added 21 points and 12 rebounds. Kevin Porter Jr. had 19 points in his first career start for the team.

The Clippers lost their second straight at home after suffering a 28-point loss to Minnesota on Wednesday. They kept it close in the first quarter before the Rockets took control.

Takeaways

Rockets: They had six players in double figures, with Jabari Smith Jr. having 13 points and 13 rebounds. Alperen Sengun had 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Clippers: James Harden (sore right groin) was already missing when two other players were sidelined. Amir Coffey suffered a bruised right shoulder during pregame warmups and starter Derrick Jones Jr. left after the first quarter with right hamstring soreness. Their bench still outscored the Rockets’ reserves 38-21, but they were outscored 50-33 on the boards.

Key moment

The Rockets scored 12 straight points late in the second quarter, including seven straight from Green, to lead 64-52 at halftime. They kept the Clippers in catch-up mode the rest of the game, with Houston extending its lead to 16 points in the third.

Key statistics

The Rockets shot 49% from the floor and made 22 of 26 free throws.

Next

The Rockets host Golden State in the NBA Cup West quarterfinals on Wednesday. The Clippers visit Denver on Friday.

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