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Nets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into first in East

Houston Rockets' Kevin Porter Jr. (3) and Jae'Sean Tate (8) defend against Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a season-high 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame the loss of James Harden to beat the Houston Rockets 120-108 on Wednesday night and move into first place in the Eastern Conference. Harden sat out the fourth quarter against his former team with right hamstring tightness, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Rockets jumped to a 24-6 lead, with an 8-for-9 start that included makes on all five 3-point attempts. The Rockets listed the injury as a left knee effusion and it's unknown whether it will keep him out longer.

Porter scores 25 points, Rockets beat Timberwolves 129-107

Houston Rockets guard John Wall (1) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Nowell (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 27, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)MINNEAPOLIS – Kevin Porter Jr. scored 25 points in his return to Houston’s lineup, John Wall had 13 points and 12 assists and the Rockets rebounded to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 129-107 on Saturday night. The Rockets came back a night later to win for the second time in four games after a 20-game losing streak. Kelly Olynyk added 16 points in his first game for Houston after coming over from Miami in the trade for Victor Oladipo. Led by their holdover star Wall, the Rockets shot 73.9% in the first quarter and scored 41 points.

Towns scores 29 as TWolves come back to beat Rockets 107-101

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Nowell (4) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Sterling Brown (0) in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)(AP) – Karl-Anthony Towns had 29 points and 16 rebounds, and Juancho Hernangomez had 19 points off the bench as the Minnesota Timberwolves came back to beat the Houston Rockets 107-101 on Friday night. Towns had 14 points during the final stretch as the Timberwolves won for the fourth time in 15 games under new coach Chris Finch. After being held to three points in the second and third quarters, Towns came back to pull Minnesota ahead. Carelessness crept in and Houston took advantage.

Rockets Oladipo Trade Understandable but Frustrating

^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. Support UsVictor Oladipo had long cited his desire to take his talents to South Beach. Rockets fans will no doubt be somewhat nonplussed by a deal that essentially closes the book on James Harden as well as Oladipo. On Twitter, after the deal was announced, talk centered around how Harden, Oladipo and P.J. Going back to the Harden trade, they could have acquired Caris LaVert instead who is averaging nearly 18 points per game in Indianapolis.

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AP source: Pistons agree to trade Delon Wright to Kings

Detroit Pistons guard Delon Wright (55) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard John Wall (1) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taromina/Pool Photo via AP)DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons have agreed to trade guard Delon Wright to the Sacramento Kings for guard Cory Joseph and two second-round draft picks, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoketo The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the trade had not been announced. The 6-foot-5 Wright has averaged 10.4 points a game this season for the rebuilding Pistons. He has spent the past season and a half with the Kings.

Terry Rozier scores 25 points, Hornets cruise past Rockets

Houston Rockets guard John Wall dribbles the ball as Charlotte Hornets guard Malik Monk defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taormina/Pool Photo via AP)(AP) – Terry Rozier scored 25 points, Devonte’ Graham added 21 and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Houston Rockets 122-97 on Wednesday night. AdFor Houston, John Wall had 20 points and seven assists, and Christian Wood added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Following a 26-26 tie at the end of the first quarter, Charlotte took a 58-55 lead into halftime, thanks in large part to 9-for-19 shooting from 3. In their previous meeting in Charlotte’s 119-94 win on Feb. 8, the Rockets scored just seven points in the fourth quarter.

Rockets end skid at 20, Wall has 1st triple-double since ’16

Houston Rockets' John Wall (1) drives on Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 22, 2021, in Houston. But Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds, his first triple-double since March 17, 2016. The Rockets closed out the third quarter with an 88-86 lead and opened the fourth quarter on a 9-1 run to pull away. AdThe Raptors led 28-27 at the end of the first quarter. In their losing streak, Houston led after the first quarter only three times, including on Feb. 26 when they led the Raptors 31-30.

Rockets lose team-record 20th straight game, fall to Thunder

(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)HOUSTON – Mired in a long losing streak, the Houston Rockets twice put the ball in John Wall's hands in the waning moments. The Rockets lost their team-record 20th straight game, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 114-112 Sunday when Wall missed two shots in the final 10 seconds. This one hurts.”Dort scored 23 points and Isaiah Roby had 18 for the Thunder, who led by as many as 13 points. They shot a sizzling 14 of 21 on 3s in the second quarter, however, and Oklahoma City led 66-62 at halftime. The Rockets hit a franchise-record 28 3s in a win against the Thunder on Feb. 1, just three days before their last win.

Pistons hand Rockets franchise-worst 19th straight loss

Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo (7) shoots as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taromina/Pool Photo via AP)HOUSTON – Frank Jackson had a season-high 23 points and the Detroit Pistons handed the Houston Rockets their franchise-record 19th straight loss, 113-100 on Friday night. The injury-plagued Rockets were playing just their fourth game of the season where Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo and John Wall were all available. Wall had 21 points and seven assists, Oladipo had 19 points, and Wood 18 points and 11 rebounds. Rockets: Wall was charged with a flagrant foul on a second-quarter collision with Frank Jackson and later received a technical foul for arguing with officials in the third quarter.

Pistons hand Rockets franchise-worst 19th straight loss

Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo (7) shoots as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taromina/Pool Photo via AP)(AP) – Frank Jackson had a season-high 23 points and the Detroit Pistons handed the Houston Rockets their franchise-record 19th straight loss, 113-100 on Friday night. It was fun being out there.”Jerami Grant added 18 points, Josh Jackson had 15, and Isaiah Stewart 13. Wall had 21 points and seven assists, Oladipo had 19 points, and Wood 18 points and 11 rebounds. Wood averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 62 games and 12 starts with Detroit last season before signing with Houston in the offseason.

Warriors hand Rockets franchise-record 18th straight loss

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green keeps the ball from Houston Rockets' Danuel House Jr. during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)(AP) – Draymond Green had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and the Golden State Warriors handed the Houston Rockets their franchise-record 18th straight loss, 108-94 on Wednesday night. Golden State breezed past the struggling Rockets to snap a season-high four-game road losing streak. It’s the first time the Rockets have lost nine consecutive home games since they dropped 11 straight in 1983. Poole led Golden State in the second, making 15 points and hitting 4 of 6 3-point attempts.

Fox scores 30, Kings hand Rockets 14th straight loss 125-105

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)SACRAMENTO, Calif. – De’Aaron Fox had 30 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and the Sacramento Kings sent the Houston Rockets to their 14th consecutive loss, 125-105 on Thursday night. Sacramento never trailed after a 15-0 run early in the second quarter. … Center Justin Patton picked up his fourth foul with 6:47 left in the second quarter. … Sacramento was called for two shot clock violations in the second quarter.

Rockets say they’re trying to trade P.J. Tucker

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Houston Rockets say they are attempting to trade disgruntled forward P.J. At some point there was some mutual agreement with P.J., his agent, (Rockets general manager Rafael Stone) and the organization that P.J. With Tucker averaging career lows in scoring (4.4 points) and shooting percentage (36.6), the Rockets initially planned to have Tucker come off the bench in the game against Sacramento. AdWhen the game started, Tucker was not on the Rockets bench and was not seen at Golden 1 Center. “We’re going to try to figure out something that works for (Tucker) and works for us,” Silas said.

USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games pool

USA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”

James Harden has triple-double in Houston return, Nets roll

Brooklyn Nets' James Harden drives to basket for a layup past Houston Rockets' Ben McLemore, left, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Houston. 13 on his jersey, James Harden won so many games for the Houston Rockets. 13 had a triple-double for the Brooklyn Nets to send the reeling Rockets to their 13th straight loss. But the Nets scored the next eight points, with two 3s from Harden, to extend it to 113-97 midway through the quarter. Rockets: Eric Gordon missed a second straight game with a sore left knee.

Upon Harden's Return, Rockets in Search of Signature Star

The loss of James Harden continues to weigh heavily on the Rockets as they face their old teammate for the first time. ^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. Monday night in Cleveland was the latest example of how important one great player can be to an NBA roster. Perhaps the most overlooked casualty of Harden's departure is the impact it has had on once prolific role players. Now, James Harden plays for another team that is likely going to lay a serious beating on his former team.

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Depleted Raptors hand Rockets 10th straight loss

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)TAMPA, Fla. – Norman Powell scored 30 points, Kyle Lowry had a triple-double and the depleted Toronto Raptors beat the Houston Rockets 122-111 on Friday night. AdLowry had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Raptors hand the Rockets their 10th straight loss. Victor Oladipo led the Rockets with 27 points, and John Wall had 21 points and 12 assists. TIP-INSRockets: The last time the Rockets lost 10 straight games was Nov. 23-Dec. 20, 2001 during a 15-game losing streak. Raptors: The Raptors have not been involved in any of the NBA's 29 coronavirus postponements so far this season.

AOC has raised over $4 million to help Texans in need

GIVING BACK: John Wall donated meals to Houstonians affected by snow stormOne fundraising effort was spearheaded by New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. On the steps of the Houston Food Bank Saturday morning, Ocasio-Cortez made a statement. Ocasio-Cortez relief effort began on social media last Thursday. By Saturday, donations surpassed $4 million and surpassed $5 million by Monday. The donations received from Ocasio-Cortez's relief effort will be distributed to multiple relief organizations in Texas, including food assistance, homelessness relief, and eldercare.

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Knicks send Rockets to fifth straight loss with 121-99 win

New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett dunks next to Houston Rockets' John Wall (1) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in New York. (Wendell Cruz/Pool Photo via AP)NEW YORK (AP) – Julius Randle and rookie Immanuel Quickley each scored 22 points and the New York Knicks sent the Houston Rockets to a season-high fifth straight loss with a 121-99 victory Saturday night. “I thought the unselfishness was important and then we had a number of guys just step up and make shots,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. ... Ray Spalding scored two points in his Rockets’ debut after being called up from the Rockets’ NBA G League affiliate Friday and signed to a two-way contract. The Knicks said Robinson was evaluated by their medical staff Saturday and surgery was recommended.

Jimmy Butler has triple-double, leads Heat past Rockets

Houston Rockets' DeMarcus Cousins, right, gets possession of the ball next to Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)(AP) – Jimmy Butler had a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and the Miami Heat overcame a slow start to beat the slumping Houston Rockets 101-94 on Thursday night. They remained up by 12 after a dunk by Adebayo before Houston used a 9-0 run to get to 97-94 with less than a minute to go. AdThe Heat missed two shots after that but got the rebound both times, with Butler grabbing the second one. The Heat used a 12-0 run to take a 70-59 lead in the third quarter and limited the Rockets to just 10 points in the quarter.

DeRozan has 30 as Spurs hold on for 111-106 win over Rockets

San Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket in front of Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)(AP) – DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs held off a late charge from the Houston Rockets for a 111-106 victory Saturday night. John Wall made a layup for Houston with less than 30 seconds left, but Patty Mills hit two free throws for San Antonio to extend it to 109-104. Tucker made two free throws for Houston after that, but Rudy Gay made two for San Antonio to secure the victory. A 3-pointer by David Nwaba got Houston within eight in the third, but the Spurs scored the next five points to push it to 82-69.

Wall, Gordon lead Rockets past Grizzlies 115-103

Houston Rockets guard John Wall, left, handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)MEMPHIS, Tenn. – John Wall scored 22 points, Eric Gordon added 20 and the Houston Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 115-103 on Thursday night. Wall said the veteran Rockets have told Tate, a rookie, to stay within his game and take advantage of his shots, particularly corner 3s. Rookie Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 16 points, while Ja Morant added 15. After shooting 26% from 3-point range against the Thunder, the Rockets were 19 of 45 (42.2%) against Memphis. For the Houston game, select groups of season ticket holders were added to the previous groups, meaning up to 2,000 people or about 11% of capacity.

Williams scores 19; Thunder win rematch with Rockets 104-87

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)(AP) – Kenrich Williams scored 19 points Wednesday night, and the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from a 30-point loss to Houston two days earlier and beat the Rockets 104-87. The Rockets scored a season high for points on Monday and a season low on Wednesday. Eric Gordon scored 22 points and Victor Oladipo added 19 for the Rockets, whose win streak ended at six games. Rockets guard John Wall and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed Wednesday’s rematch. Thunder: Oklahoma City announced Tuesday that starting point guard George Hill would miss at least four weeks with a thumb injury.

Nets' Harden to sit out Sunday vs Westbrook, Wizards

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) goes to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)NEW YORK – James Harden will sit out the Brooklyn Nets' game Sunday at Washington, preventing his first matchup with Russell Westbrook since both left Houston. The NBA's leader in assists, Harden had 25 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds Friday when the Nets routed Oklahoma City 147-125. Harden and Westbrook played together last season, helping the Rockets reach the second round of the playoffs. Harden then pushed to be traded but Westbrook was dealt first to Washington for John Wall.

Rockets beat Trail Blazers 104-101

Houston Rockets' John Wall reacts during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)(AP) – Victor Oladipo scored 25 points and the Houston Rockets shook off a terrible first quarter and held on late to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 104-101 on Thursday night. The Rockets got going after that, scoring the next six points, with a 3 from Oladipo, to make it 92-88. The Trail Blazers had a one-point lead before a 4-0 spurt by the Rockets gave Houston a 99-96 lead with less than two minutes to go. TIP-INSTrail Blazers: Carmelo Anthony had just six points after scoring a season-high 22 points in the last game.

Wall scores 24 to lead Rockets over Wizards 107-88

Houston Rockets' John Wall reacts during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)HOUSTON – John Wall scored 24 points in his first game against his former team, leading the Houston Rockets to a 107-88 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. He cooled off in the third, but got going again in the fourth to put the game away in his second game back after missing five with a sore left knee. Houston was leading by six when Wall re-entered the game with about seven minutes left. The Wizards called a timeout after that, and Wall yelled and jumped as he looked at the opposing bench before bounding back to the Houston side.

Bulls beat Rockets 125-120; Oladipo solid in Houston debut

Victor Oladipo #7 of the Houston Rockets gets off a shot around Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 18, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. CHICAGO – Zach LaVine scored 33 points, and the Chicago Bulls overcame a strong effort by Victor Oladipo in his Houston debut, beating the Rockets 125-120 on Monday night. Oladipo looked good in his first game for Houston, pouring in 32 points. Bulls: The Bulls held out rookie forwards Patrick Williams (bruised right hip) and Otto Porter Jr. (strained lower back). Bulls: The Bulls play at Charlotte on Friday before the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers visit on Saturday.

Spurs end 4-game home skid, top short-handed Rockets 103-91

Jae'Sean Tate #8 of the Houston Rockets is tied up by Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs #3 and LaMarcus Aldridge #12 at AT&T Center on January 16, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio couldn’t match the intensity of the short-handed Houston Rockets for three quarters, yet a strong finish by the Spurs was enough to snap a four-game home losing streak. “We played our best defense in the fourth quarter,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. He had 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes during Houston’s 109-103 victory on Thursday. Spurs: Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon remains out, along with reserve center Drew Eubanks, due to the league’s health and safety protocols.

Rockets rally past Spurs 109-105 in 1st game without Harden

Kenyon Martin Jr. #6 of the Houston Rockets drives for two over Jakob Poeltl #25 of the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on January 14, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)SAN ANTONIO – Christian Wood had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-105 on Thursday night in their first game since trading away franchise cornerstone James Harden. Spurs veteran DeMar DeRozan missed a 15-footer with 0.4 seconds left, and San Antonio fouled P.J. The teams meet again Saturday at the AT&T Center in the finale of a two-game set in San Antonio. Spurs: San Antonio is 6-3 with LaMarcus Aldridge in the lineup.

James Harden headed to Nets in blockbuster multiteam deal

Houston Rockets' James Harden leaves the court following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Houston. The Nets acquired the three-time scoring champion from the Houston Rockets in a deal that became official on Thursday, a move Harden has sought for weeks. Harden is the centerpiece of a deal that also involved Cleveland and grew to a fourth team when Indiana, made a separate deal with Houston. All are under contract through 2022-23, with Harden and Durant both set to earn more than $40 million in each of the next two seasons. Brooklyn expects Harden to leave all that behind him and that his transition to the Nets will be smooth.

The Newest Rockets for Newbies

Support UsThere have been more turnovers this offseason with the Houston Rockets than we have seen in quite some time and that is saying something considering the number of moves made by previous GM Daryl Morey. John WallLet's start at the top with John Wall, the third Rockets All-Star point guard in three years. Even more than Wall, Wood has become the impact player the Rockets have wanted from the center spot for years. Both are 30 and if they can recover from their injuries offer the Rockets something of a new feel and attitude. Nwaba has bounced around the league playing on four teams in four seasons prior to joining the Rockets.

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Rockets Send Westbrook to Washington for Wall

On Wednesday, Houston shipped Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for veteran guard John Wall and a protected (quite heavily in fact) first round draft pick. Both Wall and Westbrook are highly athletic guards with below-average distance shooting capabilities, though Wall did shoot well from the corners in his last season, which consequently was nearly two years ago. By the time the Rockets had a new GM and a new coach, Westbrook had asked for a trade. In some ways, Wall is a bit like a mid point between Westbrook and Paul, neither Wall nor Westbrook were the most important components of this trade. LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free.

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Wizards' John Wall says he's '110%' and 'itching' to return

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in Washington. Wizards point guard John Wall says he is "110%" healthy after missing the past 1 years with two major injuries. He is working out at home and looking forward to getting back to the NBA next season. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)WASHINGTON Washington Wizards point guard John Wall declared himself fully recovered after two operations that sidelined him for the past 1 years and said he is itching to get back on the court next season. Im healthy.He has not played in an NBA game since December 2018.