HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets pulled off a thrilling win against the Milwaukee Bucks, triumphing 100-97 on Tuesday night. Jalen Green led the charge for Houston with 25 points, and Alperen Sengun contributed significantly, scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
The game was tight throughout, but it came down to key moments late in the fourth quarter. With the score tied at 95, Sengun made 1 of 2 free throws to put Houston on top. He later nailed two more free throws with just 30 seconds remaining, extending the Rockets' lead to 98-95.
Milwaukee's star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was dominant with 27 points and 10 rebounds, made it exciting with a dunk to cut the lead to one with only 8.1 seconds left on the clock. Green, showcasing his clutch abilities, added two free throws to increase the Rockets' advantage back to three points, making the score 100-97.
Things got even more tense when Damian Lillard got fouled and missed his first free throw. A double lane violation on the second shot resulted in a jump ball, which Lillard tried to capitalize on, but his subsequent 3-point attempt bounced off the rim, sealing the victory for Houston.
The game shifted dramatically with about 4.5 minutes remaining when Amen Thompson was ejected for committing a flagrant foul against Antetokounmpo, pulling him down by the head and neck as he attempted to drive to the basket. The incident led to immediate review where officials deemed it excessive, issuing Thompson's second ejection of the season.
“At the end of the day, like you don’t want to have a league that's soft,” Antetokounmpo remarked after the game, expressing his take on the physicality of the play. “I understand when you’re a competitor, you’re gonna make mistakes like this.” Thompson’s absence was felt by Houston, but the team managed to hold their composure to secure the win.
The Rockets managed to stifle the Bucks’ offense, allowing them to score just 12 points in the fourth quarter. This victory marked Houston’s rise to No. 4 in the Western Conference standings as they improved their record to 36-22, moving past the Bucks, who dropped to 32-25 and fell to No. 5 in the East.
Houston Coach Ime Udoka praised his team’s defensive effort, which has been inconsistent at times this season, particularly with injuries to key players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet. “We need to do a job of capitalizing on offense when our defense shuts teams down,” he said, acknowledging their struggle to score only seven points during the first six minutes of the fourth quarter.
Both teams demonstrated resilience, with Houston ensuring they reclaimed their lead during the fourth quarter. After trailing by as much as eight points midway through the third, the Rockets responded with a surge, eventually regaining control of the game.
Dillon Brooks played well, contributing 16 points and making key defensive plays against the Bucks’ offensive threats. Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively, providing necessary support to buoy the team through the intensity of the match.
The Bucks, on the other hand, have shown signs of offensive inconsistency which became apparent during this game. Though Damian Lillard had 22 points, he struggled shooting, finishing with just 7 of 22 from the field. Milwaukee’s late-game execution faltered, unable to find the rhythm needed to weather Houston's defensive pressure.
With the win, the Rockets are set to host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Conversely, the Bucks will face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, seeking to bounce back from the defeat. Both teams are well aware of the playoff race tightening within their respective conferences and will look to improve their game moving forward.
This matchup not only highlighted the competitive nature of both teams but also the relentless drive of players like Green and Sengun, who stepped up when it mattered most. Fans left the Toyota Center buzzing about the Rockets’ defensive capabilities and the thrilling finish as Houston aims to carry this momentum through the remaining seasons.