Jalen Green scores 31 to help Rockets bounce back at Clippers

Field Level Media|published: Mon 9th December, 24:12 2024

NBA: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers

Dec 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts after a basket during the second quarter against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Jalen Green scored 31 points and Amen Thompson added 22 as the visiting Houston Rockets rebounded from consecutive defeats for the first time this season to upend the Los Angeles Clippers 117-106 on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.

Dillon Brooks added 19 points and Jabari Smith Jr. added 13 points with 12 rebounds as the Rockets went 1-2 on a three-game California road trip after losing at Sacramento and Golden State. Alperen Sengun had 11 points with 10 rebounds and Aaron Holiday also had 11 points.

Houston won without Fred VanVleet, who was out with a right knee contusion, while missing his second game of the season. The Rockets also were without Tari Eason, who missed his second consecutive game while in concussion protocol.

Ivica Zubac scored 21 points with 12 rebounds and Norman Powell added 17 points for the Clippers, who were without James Harden because of right groin soreness.

Los Angeles has been playing without Kawhi Leonard (knee) all season, while Terance Mann (finger) missed his second consecutive game and is out indefinitely with a fractured finger.

Kevin Porter Jr., who missed three games with an ankle injury, returned to score 19 points for the Clippers, who lost their second consecutive home game following a nine-game winning streak in their new arena.

After leading by as many as 14 points in the first half, Houston pushed its advantage to 16 in the third quarter and led 95-83 heading into the fourth. The Rockets were never threatened in the final period while improving to 3-0 against the Clippers after winning a pair of games at Houston in November.

The Rockets shot 48.8 percent from the floor, while holding the Clippers to 44.6 percent and winning the rebounding battle 50-33.

The Rockets led 30-28 after one quarter by shooting 54.2 percent, then dominated the second quarter to take a 64-52 lead into halftime. Green scored 11 points in the opening quarter and 18 in the first half, while Brooks added 14 points before the break.

--Field Level Media