On Saturday night, the Houston Rockets' run for the NBA Cup ended abruptly with a disappointing 111-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas. It was not just the outcome but the manner of defeat—marked by frigid shooting and inability to capitalize on offensive opportunities—that left fans and analysts shaking their heads.
From the opening tip, it was evident the night would be challenging for the Rockets (17-9). A tough battle against the NBA's top-rated defense proved to be as tough as expected, as Houston struggled to find any offensive rhythm. They managed to shoot only 35-of-96 from the field (36.5%) and an abysmal 11-of-46 from three-point range (23.9%). This included Fred VanVleet, who had been instrumental for the Rockets earlier this month with 38 points against the same opponent. On this night, he simply could not find his shot, going for just 8 points on 3-of-15 shooting (20.0%) and hitting only one of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Thunder (20-5), on the other hand, thrived on the defensive end and showcased their scoring prowess, led by perennial All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had another stellar game with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals. He was pivotal during the game’s turning points and cemented his claim for MVP consideration once more.
The first half mirrored Houston's recent struggles, with both teams shooting poorly—resulting in a meager 42-41 lead for the Rockets going to halftime. According to the analysis post-game, it was indicative of Houston's persistent problem of not finding effective scoring when needed.
“It was truly one of the poorest displays of offense from the squad all season. Quite frankly, the game was never pretty—at least for Houston,” wrote one commentator, capturing the overall sentiment surrounding the Rockets’ performance.
Despite the uninspiring shooting, there were bright spots coming off the Rockets' bench. Amen Thompson led the bench mob, scoring 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting and contributing significantly with 7 rebounds and 3 steals. This was promising for the Rockets, especially considering their reliance on younger talent throughout the season.
The Rockets had their moments, primarily marked by their defensive rebounding, where they out-rebounded the Thunder 49-43. Alperen Sengun chipped in with 13 points and 11 rebounds, yet his contributions weren't enough to offset the struggles of his fellow starters.
Moving to the second half, the Thunder surged as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, propelling his team to score 34 points in the third quarter alone. Lu Dort also replicated Alexander’s explosive performance by stretching the lead with timely three-pointers.
Houston's resistance faded as the game wore on, with the Thunder's ability to capitalize on turnovers and transition plays proving decisive. The Rockets committed 16 turnovers compared to the Thunder's 12, putting extra pressure on their already struggling offense.
“Houston simply could not keep pace,” noted another analyst, pointing out how the inability to shoot effectively and turn the ball over regularly allowed Oklahoma City to dictate the game's tempo and rhythm.
Following the elimination, the Rockets will need to regroup quickly as they have just days to recover before returning to regular-season action against the New Orleans Pelicans. Coach Ime Udoka flew home with the squad, reflecting on what went wrong and how to remedy their shooting woes.
“If Houston wants to win, they need their main scorers to take over and control the tempo,” one report summarized, alluding to the upcoming challenge. The Rockets face the Pelicans (5-21), noted for their own struggles this season, providing Houston with potential to regain confidence.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are gearing up for the NBA Cup championship against the Milwaukee Bucks, set for Tuesday, Dec. 17, which will test their depth against another formidable opponent.
With Saturday’s result now behind them, both teams reflect on the lessons learned. While the Thunder praise their defensive fortitude, the Rockets look to address major shooting issues as they push forward with their season, hopeful of finding consistency with younger talents stepping up alongside veteran players.
Going back to the drawing board, how the Rockets respond will be key as the regular season progresses. Can they adapt, learn, and come back stronger? Only time will tell.
