In the NBA’s first Christmas Day game since 2019, the Rockets defeated the Lakers on the road Thursday, 119-96 (statistics).
This game could end up being key in the playoff standings, as Los Angeles (19-10) holds just a half-game lead over Houston (18-10) in the Western Conference standings.
advertise
Amen Thompson finished with a game-high 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 12-for-19 shooting (63.2%), and the addition of Tari Eason (13 points, four steals) to the starting lineup may help create better space for Thompson to break through.
Eason started in place of Josh Okogie and his role was reduced (10 minutes) due to Eason’s promotion and the return of Dorian Finney-Smith.
Simply put, Thompson isn’t Houston’s best player, but he might be the most important. Kevin Durant and Alperon Sengon were both All-Stars last season, and when the Rockets are able to get star-level performance from their third player, the net impact on the team’s success is hard to deny.
Other key statistics include:
advertise
-
Kevin Durant: 25 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks; 8 of 14 shots (57.1%), 4 of 6 three-pointers (66.7%), 5 of 5 free throws
-
Jabari Smith Jr.: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals; 6 of 9 shooting (66.7%), 2 of 3 three-pointers (66.7%)
-
Alperon Sengon: 14 points, 12 rebounds, 6 turnovers, 4 assists; 5-of-7 FG (71.4%), 4-of-4 FT
-
Reed Shepard: 13 points in 19 minutes; 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%)
-
Luka Doncic (Lakers): 25 points (52.9% shooting), 7 assists, 6 turnovers, 5 rebounds; -25 in 34 minutes
-
LeBron James (Lakers): 18 points (53.8% shooting), 5 assists, 2 rebounds; -33 in 32 minutes
With obvious advantages in size and athleticism, Houston crushed the Lakers 58-29 in the rebounding battle.
With a six-game road trip complete for the season, the Rockets finally return home for a pair of games at Toyota Center. Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-15) will be played at 7:00 pm Central Time and will be broadcast regionally on Space City Home Network (SCHN) and nationally on NBA League Pass.
More: Rockets vs. Lakers: Dorian Finney-Smith returns, Tari Eason starts
This article originally appeared on Rockets News: Amen Thompson stars in Rockets’ Christmas Day win over Lakers
