Rockets vs. Clippers: Houston Edges Out LA in Toyota Center Thriller 115-113
Sometimes, you just have to want it more. You have to be willing to scrap, claw, and fight for every loose ball like your season depends on it. On Thursday night at the Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets did exactly that.
In a game that felt more like a heavyweight boxing match than a mid-December basketball contest, the Rockets leaned on their grit and their glass-cleaning dominance to muscle past the Los Angeles Clippers, 115-113. It wasn’t always pretty, but winning in the NBA rarely is.
The night belonged to Amen Thompson, whose late-game heroics sealed the deal for Houston. With the score knotted at 110 and the clock ticking under 20 seconds, the tension in the arena was palpable. Alperen Sengun missed a shot, but Thompson was there. He tipped in the miss, drew the foul from Kris Dunn, and calmly sank the free throw to complete the three-point play. That sequence was the microcosm of the game: effort, persistence, and execution when it mattered most.
Thompson and Sengun Lead the Charge
Thompson was electric all night, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. He shot 8-of-12 from the field, showcasing a level of efficiency that kept the Clippers’ defense on their heels. But it was that tip-in—Houston’s 21st offensive rebound of the night—that everyone will be talking about.
“We just kept fighting,” Thompson said post-game.
Alperen Sengun was his usual dominant self, posting a monstrous double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds. He added five assists and four steals, filling up the stat sheet and anchoring the Rockets on both ends of the floor. His chemistry with Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr., who chipped in 18 points and 10 boards, was undeniable.
Dominating the Glass
If you want to know how the Rockets won this game, look no further than the rebounding numbers. Houston absolutely mauled the Clippers on the boards, outrebounding them 51-28. That is not a typo. The Rockets grabbed nearly twice as many rebounds as Los Angeles.
This relentless pursuit of the ball gave Houston extra possessions and second-chance points that proved to be the difference-maker. The Clippers, despite shooting 50% from the field compared to Houston’s 46.2%, just couldn’t overcome the sheer volume of shots the Rockets generated.
Clippers’ Stars Shine in Defeat
It wasn’t for a lack of effort from the Clippers’ big names. Ivica Zubac was a force in the paint, scoring a season-high 33 points on 13-of-14 shooting. He was practically unstoppable down low. Kawhi Leonard played a season-high 41 minutes, pouring in 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while James Harden added 22 points and seven assists against his former team.
Even Kevin Durant had his moments, scoring 13 of his 16 points in the third quarter to help keep LA in the hunt. But the Clippers’ inability to secure defensive rebounds was their undoing. Losing the rebounding battle by 23 is a recipe for disaster, no matter how well you shoot the ball.
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Rockets improve to 16-6 and avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time since late October. They continue to show resilience and growth, proving they can win close games against veteran teams.
For the Clippers, the slide continues. This loss marks their third in a row and eighth in their last nine games, dropping them to 6-19. They’ll need to figure out their rebounding woes quickly if they want to turn their season around.
Thursday night in Houston was a reminder that talent matters, but heart and hustle often decide the outcome. The Rockets had both in spades.
