Rockets' Kevin Durant admits he 'lost the game' in loss to Lakers The Houston Rockets suffered a crucial setback against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, dropping them further behind L.A. in the race for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers now hold a 1.5-game lead over Houston, which has struggled in its last 10 games with a 5-5 record. The Rockets also trail the Nuggets and Timberwolves by a half-game for the No. 4 spot in the West. The loss was attributed to a stagnant offensive performance by Houston, with Kevin Durant taking full responsibility for the team's struggles. Durant, who finished with just 18 points and seven turnovers, admitted he felt like he single-handedly cost the Rockets the game. "I just felt like I lost the game for us tonight," Durant said after the contest. "It's that simple. Of course we probably could make more 3s, but it's on me. I mean, to be honest, I'm the offense and the opposing team is going to use all their resources and not let me get comfortable." Durant’s uncharacteristic performance was marked by his inability to score efficiently in the second half, where he managed just two points. The Lakers’ defensive strategy of using two defenders to guard him throughout the game disrupted Houston’s rhythm. Despite Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson combining for 41 points, the Rockets couldn’t overcome the challenge. "First half, I got comfortable in iso, comfortable coming off of pindowns, pick-and-rolls, and they decided not to let me get comfortable no more," Durant explained. "So I got to be smarter, better with the ball.#los_angeles_lakers #kevin_durant #houston_rockets #alperen_sengun #fred_vanvleet
Kevin Durant takes blame as Lakers disrupt Rockets' offense The Los Angeles Lakers' defensive strategy in the fourth quarter of Monday night's game against the Houston Rockets left Kevin Durant searching for answers, as the Rockets' offense struggled under relentless double-teams. The Lakers, aiming to solidify their defensive identity after a shaky season, focused their efforts on limiting Durant's impact, a decision that backfired spectacularly for Houston. The Rockets committed nine turnovers and scored just 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting in the final frame, allowing the Lakers to extend their winning streak to six games with a 100-92 victory at the Toyota Center. Durant, who finished with 18 points, admitted he felt responsible for the loss. "I just felt like I lost the game for us tonight," he said. "It's that simple. Of course we probably could make more 3s, but it's on me. I mean, to be honest, I'm the offense and the opposing team is going to use all their resources and not let me get comfortable." Durant scored only two of his points in the second half and committed seven of the Rockets' 24 turnovers. He acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the Lakers' defensive tactics, which forced him to adjust his approach. "First half, I got comfortable in iso, comfortable coming off of pindowns, pick-and-rolls, and they decided not to let me get comfortable no more. So I got to be smarter, better with the ball. I got to maybe shoot over some of them double-teams, but space out, be ready to catch and shoot, be ready to be a screener, just be in a dunker spot, just being able to be there as a resource for my teammates to provide space. I didn't need to have the ball as much as I did tonight." The Lakers' defensive improvements have been critical to their recent success.#los_angeles_lakers #jj_redick #kevin_durant #houston_rockets #alperen_sengun
Houston Rockets Set Starters for Lakers Clash After Alperen Sengun Injury The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are set to face off in a high-stakes matchup on Monday, March 16, with both teams vying for control of the Western Conference standings. The game, scheduled for 9:30 PM ET, carries significant implications as the Rockets aim to close the gap on the third-seeded Lakers. Entering the contest, the Rockets hold a 41-25 record and are currently the fourth seed in the West, while the Lakers, with a 42-25 record, lead Houston by a half-game for the third seed. A victory for either team could shift the momentum in the race for the playoffs. A key storyline for the Rockets is the absence of All-Star forward Alperen Sengun, who was ruled out of the game due to lower-back pain. Sengun, who had been listed as questionable earlier in the week, was not able to suit up for the matchup against the Lakers. His absence adds pressure on the Rockets’ roster, as they look to compensate without their key contributor. Sengun, who earned his second All-Star selection this season, has averaged 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game this year. His absence could test the depth of the Rockets’ bench. The Rockets’ starting lineup for the game includes Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Clint Capela. Thompson, a rookie, is expected to provide scoring off the bench, while Eason, a former first-round pick, will likely anchor the frontcourt. Durant, acquired in a blockbuster trade over the summer, brings veteran leadership and scoring ability, and Smith Jr., the team’s top prospect, will look to make an impact in his second season. Capela, the team’s primary center, will need to step up in Sengun’s absence.#lebron_james #los_angeles_lakers #houston_rockets #alperen_sengun #clint_capela
Clint Capela to Start Against Lakers as Sengun Misses Game Clint Capela is set to start for his team in Monday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a report from The California Post. The decision comes after Alperen Sengun, who was previously a key contributor at center, is ruled inactive due to a back injury. With Sengun sidelined, Capela will take over the starting role at center for the game. This marks Capela's first start of the season, as he had only previously entered the game in a starting capacity on December 6 against the Dallas Mavericks. In that earlier start, Capela recorded eight points (4-7 from the field, 0-1 from the free-throw line), eight rebounds, two blocks, and one assist over 30 minutes of play. His performance in that game highlighted his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, though his shooting efficiency was a point of note. The team's coaching staff has opted to rely on Capela's experience and versatility in the absence of Sengun, who has been a consistent presence in the starting lineup throughout the season. To provide depth at the center position, the team will likely use Dorian Finney-Smith and Jeff Green as backup options. Both players have experience playing in smaller lineups and can offer flexibility in defensive schemes. Finney-Smith, known for his perimeter shooting and defensive versatility, could provide a different dynamic in transition, while Green's ability to switch on screens and guard multiple positions makes him a valuable asset in the modern NBA. Capela's inclusion in the starting five underscores the team's need to maintain balance in the paint, especially with Sengun's absence.#los_angeles_lakers #the_california_post #alperen_sengun #clint_capela #dorian_finney_smith
Rockets' Alperen Sengun Misses Game Amid Back Pain HOUSTON — Alperen Sengun, the Rockets’ All-Star center, remained sidelined with low back pain for their home matchup against the Lakers, marking the second consecutive game he has missed under this designation. While he participated in Monday’s shootaround, Sengun was not in the lineup as the team continued without him. The Rockets had previously defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday while Sengun was out, and the absence of the Turkish big man continues to impact their roster depth. The Rockets-Lakers game holds significant implications for the Western Conference playoff race, as both teams entered the matchup tied in the loss column (42-25 for the Lakers and 41-25 for the Rockets). The two teams are among the West’s teams with the fewest losses, highlighting the tight competition in the conference. Sengun’s absence adds pressure to the Rockets’ depth, as they rely on their remaining players to fill the void left by his injury. Despite his absence, Sengun has been a key contributor this season, averaging 20.2 points (50.3% FG), 8.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. His statistical performance has been a bright spot for the Rockets, but concerns have emerged about his defensive play compared to last season. Tracking data suggests his defensive contributions have declined, and some analysts speculate that physical ailments, including his back pain, may be a factor. The Rockets are reportedly giving Sengun time off to address these issues and potentially return to full form. Head coach Ime Udoka opted to start backup center Clint Capela in Sengun’s absence, pairing him with the usual quartet of Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason.#rockets #deandre_ayton #alperen_sengun #clint_capela #tari_eason
Amen Thompson Evolves into Key Offense-Defense Threat for Houston Rockets When the Houston Rockets selected Amen Thompson fourth overall in 2023, they anticipated his elite athleticism and defensive potential, even after passing on top prospect Victor Wembanyama. From the outset, Thompson proved his worth with his ability to play above the rim and transition the ball effectively in the open court. Beyond his physical gifts, he began to display improved offensive skills, such as better passing and decision-making, which had not been as emphasized prior to the draft. As his rookie season progressed, Thompson solidified his role as a lockdown defender for the Rockets. With increased minutes and familiarity with the NBA’s pace, he emerged as one of the team’s most reliable defenders. His defensive growth was further highlighted when he stepped into the starting lineup at power forward following Alperen Sengun’s injury. The move allowed Jabari Smith to shift to center, and Thompson’s performance in that role helped the Rockets achieve their best win-loss record since 2020. His consistency as a defender earned him a spot on the All-Defensive First Team in his second season. Thompson’s offensive development has been a focal point of his evolution. While he had already shown flashes of scoring ability, his third season marked a significant leap in offensive consistency. After a major injury to Fred VanVleet forced the Rockets to rely more on Thompson, he responded by becoming one of the team’s most dependable offensive threats. His scoring average rose from 9.5 to 14.1 points per game over his first two seasons, and he has since surpassed that, averaging a career-high in points, assists, and free-throw shooting. Despite his progress, Thompson’s 3-point shooting remains a challenge.#houston_rockets #amen_thompson #alperen_sengun #jabari_smith #kobe_durant
