In the conclusion of a season-long homestand of seven games at Toyota Center, the Rockets took perhaps their biggest step yet in Sunday’s 107-104 victory (box score) over the defending NBA champion Nuggets. It’s the sixth straight win for Houston (6-3) and only the second loss of the 2023-24 regular season for Denver (8-2).
Nikola Jokic, a multi-time MVP, led the visitors with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists. But after taking a seven-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Denver was outscored by Houston in each frame for the game’s duration. Veteran forward Jeff Green scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to help put the game away.
“It gives us another feather in our cap,” head coach Ime Udoka said in his postgame press conference. “It gives us experience with late-game execution and getting the shots we want, and defending. I’m happy with how we finished. They did hit some tough shots, but that’s expected from a championship-caliber team.”
Standout players for the Rockets included:
- Fred VanVleet: 26 points, 4 assists in 41 minutes; 9-of-21 shooting (42.9%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Alperen Sengun: 23 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists in 35 minutes; 9-of-18 shooting (50.0%), 5-of-6 on free throws (83.3%)
- Jeff Green: 15 points, 4 rebounds in 26 minutes; 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews from Sunday night, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston, as a brief road trip begins, is Friday’s late game in Los Angeles against the Clippers. Tipoff is at 9:30 p.m. Central.
Idk how old Jeff Green is but he is my inspiration. Houston give me a 10 day!
— Vernon Maxwell (@VernonMaxwell11) November 13, 2023
Another great Rockets win, the fun continues. Just a tough ass team, especially the bench. Great Alpi game.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 13, 2023
The #Rockets home opener loss to the Warriors feels so long ago.
Six straight wins since.
Undefeated in November.
… And they’re going to keep getting better.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 13, 2023
Nikola Jokic on Alperen Sengun’s play:
“I think it is a good thing that they are playing a little bit more through him. I think that is going to benefit the whole organization. He is a guy who is not selfish. He wants to play for the team and he wants to pass. The whole team is… pic.twitter.com/zRPsdULAOP
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 13, 2023
Fred VanVleet tells @JTGatlin that Jeff Green was calling out Denver’s plays down the stretch
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 13, 2023
The #Rockets defense looks very real. Jokic is unstoppable but Houston has made Denver work hard for everything.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 13, 2023
Ime Udoka has the #Rockets way ahead of schedule. I’m adjusting expectations. This almost looks like a playoff team but certainly seems like a play-in team at minimum.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 13, 2023
Ime Udoka on Jae’Sean Tate: “That’s the usual. That’s what we expect now. He brings that grit and toughness every night.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 13, 2023
Big Sengun block on Jokic. Idols become rivals.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 13, 2023
Rockets 107, Nuggets 104. Lots of Nug hugs for Jeff Green as Rockets take sixth-consecutive win.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 13, 2023
It’s pretty amazing being able to bring Jae’Sean Tate in off the bench for Dillon Brooks. The defense and intensity doesn’t drop off much, if at all. It reminds me of having both Ron Artest and Shane Battier and Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute.
There’s pretty much zero chance…
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 13, 2023
The Sengun bag is so disgustingly deep right now. He can back down grown men and score jump hooks with either hand. He can attack you off the drive and cross you over with a behind the back dribble. This year, he’s showing off a floater and the Dirk one-legged jumper.
Tonight,…
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 13, 2023
Only four NBA teams have a top 10 rating for both offense and defense:
• Boston Celtics
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Denver Nuggets
• Houston RocketsThe biggest surprise by far is Houston, but Philly being one of them despite the drama and then the trade is so impressive. pic.twitter.com/ii0ZQVZljp
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 13, 2023
2 plays in a row down the stretch of a close game, Ime Udoka put the ball in Jalen Green’s hands and told him to make a play.
Look at this pass to Alperen Sengun pic.twitter.com/ieO1JskgBr
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) November 13, 2023
The Houston Rockets are Good. What a performance, what a win.
26 Big points by Fred VanVleet, 23/8/5 for Alperen Sengun and incredible defense on Jokic. 15 for Uncle Jeff.
Gonna have a great taste in my mouth until their next game Friday.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 13, 2023
The coach of the year award is in Ime Udoka’s bag. No doubt.
If they keep playing this well, I’m also predicting an all star appearance for Alperen Sengun, a shot at all NBA if he stays healthy, and perhaps the Executive of the year award for Rafael Stone.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 13, 2023
I’m pretty sure Sengun is gassed yet he is completely outplaying Jokic down the stretch so far. This is superstar breakout type performance.
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) November 13, 2023
I don’t even know what to say about this performance by Jeff Green. Fucking incredible.
He’s found the fountain of youth
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 13, 2023
Jalen Green had the third highest +/- on the team at +10
He had a rough shooting night but the threat of him out there gives this team a different dimension offensively as well, especially now that he’s improved defensively and is making better decisions offensively.
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) November 13, 2023
