They looked like world-beaters. Then, they didn’t. Watching the Rockets last night game, you probably felt that familiar sting of "almost" mixed with a massive dose of "what if." It’s the story of a young team trying to figure out how to close the door when they have a lead, and honestly, it's becoming a bit of a pattern for Ime Udoka's squad.
The energy at the Toyota Center was electric for the first twenty-four minutes. Alperen Şengün was out there playing like a seasoned vet, diming people up and hitting that awkward-but-effective post-up floater that makes defenders look silly. You've got to appreciate the way this kid sees the floor. It's not just about the stats—which were great—it’s about the gravity he pulls. But basketball is a four-quarter game, and the second half felt like a completely different sport.
The Rockets Last Night Game: Momentum is a Fickle Friend
If you missed the third quarter, consider yourself lucky. The offense went stagnant. We're talking "standing around watching the ball-handler" stagnant. Jalen Green had some flashes of brilliance, sure, but the consistency just wasn't there when the pressure ramped up. When the shots stop falling, the defensive intensity usually follows suit, and that's exactly what happened. It’s frustrating because we’ve seen what they can do when they’re locked in.
Why does this keep happening?
It’s depth. Or rather, the lack of consistent production from the bench when the starters need a breather. Amen Thompson brings that chaotic, beautiful defensive energy, but the half-court offense still feels a little clunky when he’s the primary initiator. You can see the vision, though. The Rockets are trying to build something sustainable, but these growing pains are rough to watch in real-time.
Breaking Down the Defensive Lapses
Defense wins games, or so the old saying goes. Last night, the defense decided to take a bit of a literal "break." There were too many wide-open looks allowed from the corner—the most efficient shot in basketball besides a layup. You can’t give professional shooters that much daylight and expect to walk away with a "W."
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Coach Udoka looked visibly frustrated on the sideline. You could see him yelling about rotations. He knows that if this team wants to make a real push for the postseason, they can't have these five-minute stretches where they look lost on a simple pick-and-roll coverage. It's about communication. In a loud arena, if you aren't screaming your assignments, you're essentially playing five-on-four.
Stats That Actually Mattered (And Some That Didn't)
Let’s talk numbers, but not the boring ones. The rebounding battle was actually a bright spot. Houston controlled the glass for most of the night, which usually correlates with winning. Jabari Smith Jr. was aggressive. He was flying in from the perimeter to snag boards, which is exactly the kind of hustle this coaching staff demands.
However, the turnover margin was the killer. Giving away possessions is like handing out free money. When you look at the Rockets last night game, those twelve live-ball turnovers turned into nearly twenty points for the opposition. You simply can't survive that. It’s basketball suicide.
- Clean up the entry passes to the post.
- Stop over-dribbling into double teams.
- Trust the extra pass.
It sounds simple. It’s not. In the heat of the moment, with a 24-second clock ticking down, young players tend to revert to "hero ball." We saw a lot of that in the fourth quarter.
The Şengün Factor
Is Alperen Şengün an All-Star? Based on the first half of the Rockets last night game, the answer is a resounding yes. His footwork is reminiscent of a young Pau Gasol, but with a bit more flash. He’s the hub of everything they do. When the ball goes through him, good things happen. When they ignore him for three possessions in a row, the offense dies. It’s not rocket science—pun intended.
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The chemistry between Şengün and Fred VanVleet is getting better. VanVleet provides that "adult in the room" presence that this roster desperately needs. He’s the one calming everyone down when things get frantic. But even he looked a little gassed toward the end. Playing heavy minutes in a high-pace system takes its toll.
Looking Ahead: Can They Fix the Slumps?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. If the Rockets want to stay in the hunt, they need to find a way to maintain intensity for 48 minutes. It's a cliché for a reason. You can't play "pretty" basketball for two quarters and then "ugly" basketball for the rest and expect to beat the elite teams in the West.
One thing is clear: the talent is there. This isn't the Rockets team of three years ago that was just happy to be on the court. There’s an expectation of winning now. That pressure is a privilege, but it’s also a heavy weight. You can see it in the players' faces after a loss like last night’s. They’re tired of the moral victories. They want the real ones.
What Most People Are Missing
Everyone talks about the scoring, but watch the off-ball movement. Or the lack thereof. In the Rockets last night game, the players who weren't holding the ball were often just spectators. Modern NBA offenses thrive on "0.5 basketball"—making a decision in half a second. Pass, shot, or drive. Houston spent too much time in the "2.0 second" range last night.
- Tari Eason's impact off the bench is statistically wild.
- The team's transition defense is still a work in progress.
- Free throw percentage remains a quiet but deadly issue.
Actionable Steps for the Houston Rockets
Moving forward, there are three specific things this team needs to do to turn these close losses into wins. First, the coaching staff has to find a way to get Jalen Green easier buckets early in the game to build his confidence. When he sees the ball go through the net early, his defensive engagement skyrockets.
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Second, they need to tighten up the rotation. Experimenting is fine in November, but as the season progresses, players need to know exactly when they are coming in and what their role is. Uncertainty leads to hesitation.
Finally, the veteran leadership needs to hold the young core accountable for defensive lapses. It’s okay to make a mistake; it’s not okay to make the same mistake four times in one game.
The Rockets last night game was a microcosm of their entire season: brilliant, frustrating, exciting, and ultimately a learning experience. For fans, it's a roller coaster. For the team, it's a blueprint of what to fix before the next tip-off.
To improve their standing, the Rockets must prioritize late-game execution drills in practice, focusing specifically on breaking full-court presses and managing the clock without settling for contested mid-range jumpers. Fans should watch the next three-game road trip closely; it will reveal if the lessons from last night were actually learned or if the cycle of inconsistency is set to continue.