Rockets Unable to Survive Second-Half Collapse Amid Home Loss to Clippers

The Houston Rockets were not able to maintain their first-half dominance amid a 122-116 home loss to the Clippers.

HOUSTON -- The lone issue coach Ime Udoka had when reflecting on Tuesday's victory was the subpart start the Houston Rockets had against the San Antonio Spurs.

They began the night shooting 39.2 percent from the field and trailed the Spurs by six at the half. If not for Alperen Şengün's scoring 30 of his 45 points in the second half, the Rockets may have fallen short against their I-10 rivals. 

Twenty-four hours later, the Rockets had one of their best starts of the season. However, it wasn't enough as Houston sustained a 122-116 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers inside the Toyota Center.

Houston shot 45.1 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from behind the arc during the first half, and led the Clippers 57-44 entering the halftime break.

Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) drives with the ball as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Clippers were led by Kawhi Leonard, who finished the game with 28 points on 11 of 18 shooting. He scored 16 points during the second half to ignite Los Angeles' comeback victory.

The Rockets held a 20-point lead (50-30) at the 5:17 mark of the second quarter. The Clippers closed the half on a 14-7 run, and the momentum established carried them into the third quarter. Los Angeles outscored Houston 36-29 during the period, where, Paul George scored 10 of his 21 points.

The Clippers cut Houston's lead down to six entering the fourth quarter. And by the 6:14 mark of the period, Los Angeles came within two points (101-99) following a 3-point field goal made by Leonard. A few possessions later, Leonard's mid-range jump shot tied the game at 108 with 3:30 left in the fourth quarter. 

The Rockets were unable to re-establish their momentum, as Los Angeles finished the night on a 14-6 run. Houston's defense gave up 78 second-half points to the Clippers.

Alperen Şengün Establishes Himself as Rockets' Cornerstone Amid Win vs. Wembanyama, Spurs

Şengün followed up his performance against the Spurs with his second career triple-double of 23 points, 19 rebounds and 14 assists. 

Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 19 points on 6 of 11 shooting. Cam Whitmore came off the bench and scored 17 points in the loss. Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet scored 15 points respectively.

James Harden recorded 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds in his fourth visit to Houston since leaving the Rockets in January 2021.