In a commanding performance, Jabari Smith Jr. scored a season-high 28 points, leading the Houston Rockets to a decisive 125-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night in their NBA Cup opener.
Houston, riding a season-high four-game winning streak, never trailed in the contest and secured their second consecutive win over the Clippers after a 111-103 victory on Wednesday night.
The Rockets came out with a high energy from the opening tip, dictating the pace of the game. Houston maintained a comfortable lead throughout, including a dominant third-quarter run that expanded their advantage to as much as 19 points by the time the final frame began. Smith’s sharpshooting, highlighted by five three-pointers, was the driving force behind the Rockets’ offense, as he consistently found the open shot and helped stretch the Clippers’ defense.
Fred VanVleet added a well-rounded performance with 18 points and 10 assists, showcasing his playmaking ability and leadership in orchestrating the offense. Dillon Brooks also contributed 17 points, providing scoring depth alongside Smith and VanVleet. The Rockets’ balanced attack proved too much for the Clippers, who struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm throughout the game.
For the Clippers, James Harden led the way with 21 points, including three three-pointers that moved him into a tie with Ray Allen for the second-most career three-pointers in NBA history, trailing only Stephen Curry. While Harden’s individual efforts were commendable, they were not enough to lift Los Angeles, who dropped their third straight game after winning four in a row.
Despite Harden’s scoring, the Clippers’ offense was stagnant for much of the game. Houston’s defense, led by Brooks and Smith, kept the Clippers from establishing any significant offensive flow. Los Angeles’ struggles were compounded by the absence of Kawhi Leonard, still sidelined with a knee injury. The Clippers’ offense missed the dynamic presence of their star forward, who has yet to take the floor this season.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
The game’s key turning point came midway through the third quarter. After the Clippers managed to trim the lead to 12, the Rockets responded with a 9-0 run that pushed the advantage back up to 19. Brooks ignited the run with a three-pointer, and VanVleet followed up by finding Jalen Green for an alley-oop dunk, further electrifying the home crowd. That stretch proved to be a backbreaker for the Clippers, who were unable to mount a serious challenge in the final quarter.
One of the more telling statistics of the game was Houston’s dominance in transition. The Rockets outscored the Clippers 20-8 in fast-break points, capitalizing on the Clippers’ inability to get back in transition defense. Houston’s speed and ability to push the ball up the court gave them easy scoring opportunities, especially when the Clippers’ offense stagnated.
Off the bench, the Rockets received a significant boost from Tari Eason and Amen Thompson, who combined for 29 points. Both players had standout performances, continuing the strong contributions they made in Wednesday’s win, where they each scored 18 points. Houston’s bench depth has been a significant factor in their recent success, and Eason and Thompson’s play helped ensure that the Rockets maintained their strong lead throughout the game.
The Rockets’ fourth straight win marked a continued upward trajectory for the team under new leadership. While much of the focus has been on their young core, Houston has benefitted from contributions across the roster, and their team-oriented play has made them one of the more exciting teams in the NBA. The chemistry and cohesion between VanVleet, Brooks, and Smith have been crucial to their success, and they showed no signs of slowing down in this victory.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are facing an uphill battle as they try to adjust to life without Leonard. Although they have a strong individual talent in Harden, they will need more consistency from their starting unit to stay competitive, especially if Leonard’s return continues to be delayed. Los Angeles has shown flashes of potential, but they need to find a way to mesh and make up for the absence of their superstar forward.
As the NBA Cup tournament continues, the Rockets will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for a road game against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night. Houston has proven to be a dangerous team in their current form, and they’ll aim to carry their strong play into the next phase of the tournament. The Clippers, on the other hand, will look to regroup and attempt to right the ship when they host the Utah Jazz later that evening, hoping to snap their losing streak.
In the end, the Rockets’ victory showcased their depth, defensive intensity, and offensive efficiency. Jabari Smith Jr.’s career-high performance was the headline, but it was Houston’s all-around team effort that led to their dominant win over the Clippers. With a balanced approach and contributions from all corners of the roster, the Rockets continue to show they are a team to watch in the NBA Cup and beyond.
