During the NBA’s Wednesday night slate, Eric Gordon scored 25 points, and Tari Eason scored 20 points to lead the Houston Rockets over the Oklahoma City Thunder. After dropping 18 of their previous 19 games, the Rockets (13-38) have won three out of their last five contests.
While Jalen Green was injured, Eason matched a career-high with 13 rebounds off the bench. When the game was close down the stretch, coach Stephen Silas credited Gordon with keeping this young team focused.
“Eric tonight was so steady and when we went down five or six he was the one settling the guys down, and that’s important,” Silas said. “That veteran presence … was huge tonight.”
In the game’s last four minutes, the Thunder got within 100-98 after two free throws by Darius Bazley and a jump shot by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Following Gordon’s miss, Gilgeous-Alexander made two free throws for Oklahoma City, cutting the Rockets’ lead to 105-100. The Rockets scored the next five points, including a three from Kenyon Martin Jr. Despite Nix’s layup, Martin’s two-handed dunk seconds later extended Houston’s lead to 109-100 with less than a minute left.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Houston Rockets & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
The Thunder were led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 24 points and Josh Giddey’s 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
“The best thing Houston did tonight was the way they were ready to play from the jump.” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
Garrison Mathews and Eason hit consecutive 3s after Mann’s 3-pointer to give Oklahoma City a 90-89 lead in the fourth quarter. A short while later, Eason stole and drove in to make a layup, but was unable to make it.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Houston Rockets & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
On that possession, Eason missed four consecutive shots and collected four rebounds, and he kept grabbing rebounds and missing shots until he finally made the fifth shot, when he had been fouled. Houston had a 93-89 lead after making the free throw
“It’s a little bit of both,” Eason said. “Any time I step on the court, I want to bring a lot of energy, a lot of hustle and that’s just what I do.”
A late run by the Thunder, led by seven points from Jaylin Williams, helped Houston gain a 72-71 lead after Gordon and Martin made baskets early in the third quarter. Halfway through the third quarter, the Rockets scored four straight points to retake the lead 75-72. With about four minutes left in the third, Oklahoma City went on a 7-0 run sparked by Isaiah Joe’s 3 pointer.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Houston Rockets & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
At 86-80, the Thunder took control of the game in the third quarter when Gilgeous-Alexander scored all seven points on a 7-1 run, including two three-pointers. By the end of the third quarter, the Rockets were down two points.
