All articles tagged with #houston rockets
Tilman Fertitta’s family reached a deal to buy the Connecticut Sun and relocate the franchise to Houston by 2027, signaling a WNBA comeback for the city but with pending league approval and bittersweet implications for the team and fans.
Luka Doncic poured in 40 points (with 9 rebounds and 10 assists) to power the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-116 win over Houston, sealing a key playoff-seeding tiebreaker and extending LA’s streak to seven victories. LeBron James added 30 as the defense tightened and the Lakers’ sharp shooting kept them ahead in a crowded Western Conference race, with 13 games left and tiebreakers over the Rockets, Nuggets and Timberwolves already secured.
Kevin Durant scored 32 to lift the Houston Rockets to a 107-105 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, with Alperen Sengun out and a late Pelicans 12-1 run that put them up 104-100 with 31 seconds left; Jabari Smith Jr. answered with a key three to swing momentum back to Houston. In San Francisco, Anthony Edwards poured in 42 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 127-117. Portland’s Jrue Holiday added 25 points and eight assists as the Trail Blazers completed a four-game sweep of the Jazz, 124-114 at home.
Trae Young was ejected Monday night after leaving the Wizards’ bench to argue with a referee during Washington’s game with Houston, just days before his anticipated Wizards debut. Tari Eason was also ejected in the incident. Young had posted workout footage and signaled a return, with coach Brian Keefe saying he’d likely play about 17-20 minutes in the Thursday game against the Utah Jazz. The Wizards acquired Young in January in a deal noted as involving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Trae Young, still yet to play for the Wizards, was ejected for stepping onto the court to argue with a game official after Tari Eason shoved Jamir Watkins during a Rockets-Wizards possession; Washington lost 123-118. Wizards coach Brian Keefe praised Young for sticking up for his teammates, and Young signaled he’ll bring energy when he debuts for Washington, which is set for Thursday against the Jazz. Teammates and fans reacted positively to the moment, highlighting his engagement and leadership.
Alperen Sengun poured in 32 points and 13 rebounds as the Houston Rockets held off the Washington Wizards 123-118. Kevin Durant led Washington with 30 points, while Amen Thompson added 22 points and 12 rebounds and Reed Sheppard posted 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds for his first career double-double. Trae Young was ejected after leaving the bench during a third‑quarter flare‑up; Bilal Coulibaly scored 23 for Washington and Julian Reese debuted with 2 points. The win improves Houston to 38-22, and Washington to 16-44.
Brunson, who had been quiet most of the night, poured in 8 points in the fourth, drew key charges, and hit the go-ahead 15-foot jumper with 21.2 seconds left as the Knicks erased an 18-point deficit to beat Houston 108-106—their largest comeback of the season. Towns added 25, Anunoby iced it with late free throws, and New York's defense tightened in the final period, forcing nine fourth-quarter Rockets turnovers.
A burner-account controversy involving Kevin Durant resurfaced during All-Star Weekend as screenshots circulated; Durant declined to explicitly deny the posts in a Rockets practice interview, saying he’s focused on the season and that his teammates are aware. The article places the episode in a historical pattern of Durant’s use of burner accounts and notes the murky provenance of such messages, while the Rockets’ playoff chances and Durant–Sengun dynamic are discussed.
James Harden’s contract dispute with the Los Angeles Clippers—who offered limited guaranteed money for the second year—pushed him to accept a trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Los Angeles receiving Darius Garland and a second‑round pick. Cleveland aims to compete immediately with Harden alongside Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, while Houston’s earlier attempts to reunite with him were rebuffed and the Clippers pivot toward a rebuild.
The Philadelphia 76ers traded guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package of draft picks: Houston’s 2026 first-round pick, the best 2027 second-round pick among the Thunder/Rockets/Pacers/Heat, and two 2028 second-round selections (from Milwaukee and Oklahoma City). The move also helps Philadelphia shed payroll and stay under the luxury-tax threshold.
Dallas coach Jason Kidd blasted critics in a fiery postgame tirade about his use of teenage rookie Cooper Flagg after a 111-107 loss to the Rockets, insisting he knows what he’s doing as Flagg continues to produce (34 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists) following a historic 49-point teen game earlier in the week. The Mavericks, 19-30 and 11th in the West, remain plagued by injuries and inconsistency, and Kidd also criticized the officiating on a late game sequence.
After the Mavericks’ 111-107 loss to the Rockets, Jason Kidd delivered a rare, expletive-filled postgame tirade criticizing officials and defending his lineup choices, including Cooper Flagg’s role at point guard. The explosive remarks, which could draw a roughly $25,000 fine, come amid a frustrating season and ongoing questions about team alignment and leadership with Luka Doncic.
Amen Thompson scored 26 points leading the Houston Rockets to a 119-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, ending their two-game losing streak. The Rockets dominated with six players in double figures, while Luka Doncic and LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 and 18 points respectively. The game featured a high-scoring matchup between Durant and James, and the Rockets controlled the boards significantly. The Lakers struggled with turnovers and injuries, including Reaves and Hachimura.
Houston Rockets ownership is in talks to buy and relocate the Connecticut Sun, with positive discussions ongoing, potentially marking a move towards more NBA-owned WNBA teams, amid previous sale attempts and league interests in returning to Houston.
The Memphis Grizzlies are struggling with a four-game losing streak, internal tension, and offensive stagnation, partly due to adapting to a new system under coach Iisalo, with star player Ja Morant showing signs of frustration and disconnection.