Rockets Overcome Thunder 112-106 With the Aid of Eric Gordon and Tari Eason

On Wednesday night, the Houston Rockets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-106 thanks to a season-high 25 points from Eric Gordon and a career-high 20 from rookie Tari Eason.

After losing 18 of their previous 19, the Rockets (13-38), who have the worst record in the Western Conference, have won three of their last five games.

Eason, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft, also had 13 rebounds off the bench, matching a career best on a night Jalen Green sat out with an injury.

Coach Stephen Silas gave Gordon credit for keeping this young team focused when the game was close late in the game.

“Eric tonight was so steady and when we went down five or six he was the one settling the guys down, and that’s important,” Silas said. “That veteran presence … was huge tonight.”

The 15-year NBA veteran Gordon takes great pride in supporting his less-experienced teammates.

“My mentality is all about winning,” he said. “And all that matters to me is simply instilling confidence in these young men.”

After Josh Christopher scored twice in a row to give Houston a five-point lead, the Thunder closed the gap to 100-98 with about four minutes remaining with a free throw by Darius Bazley and a jump shot by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

However, after a 3-pointer from Kenyon Martin Jr., the Rockets scored the following five points., to push the lead to seven about a minute later. Following Gordon’s subsequent misses at the line, Gilgeous-Alexander converted both of his free throw attempts for Oklahoma City, cutting the margin to 105-100.

But with less than a minute left, Daishen Nix made a layup and Martin followed with a two-handed dunk to increase Houston’s lead to 109-100.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24 points, and Josh Giddey added 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.

“The best thing Houston did tonight was the way they were ready to play from the jump.” Mark Daigneault, the Thunder’s head coach,

Silas was pleased with his team’s defense of Gilgeous-Alexander, who came into the contest with an NBA-leading average of 30.9 points and was ranked fifth overall.

“It was a team effort,” Silas said.

Tre Mann opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to extend Oklahoma City’s lead to five points. But Houston then scored two straight threes, one each from Garrison Mathews and Eason, to take the lead, 90-89.

A few minutes later, Eason got a steal and attempted a layup but failed. Eason missed his next four attempts at the rim while also grabbing four rebounds in a row. He eventually made a fifth attempt, which resulted in a foul, but not before collecting four consecutive misses. He sank the free throw, giving Houston a 93-89 advantage.

“That just shows the fight that we had at that moment of the game,” Silas said.

Eason described the experience as both enjoyable and taxing.

“It’s a little bit of both,” he said. “Every time I step onto the court, I strive to bring a lot of energy and hustle, and I always do that.”

Gordon and Martin’s baskets at the start of the third quarter gave Houston an eight-point lead before the Thunder used a 9-0 run, which included seven points from Jaylin Williams, to go ahead 72-71.

Midway through the quarter, the Rockets made their next four points to retake the lead, 75-72, but their advantage was fleeting.

After that, Oklahoma City went on a 7-0 run that included Isaiah Joe’s 3-pointer to put them ahead 79-75 with about four minutes left in the third.

The game was tied later in the third before Gilgeous-Alexander made all the Thunder’s points in a 7-1 spurt, capped by a three-point play, to put them up 86-80.

The Rockets scored the final four points of the third to reduce the margin to two heading into the fourth.

TIP-INS

Thunder: Luguentz Dort missed the game for the third time in a row due to a strained right hamstring. … Mann, a substitute, scored 18 points. … Oklahoma City made 12 of its 43 3-point attempts.

Green missed the Rockets’ second straight game due to a bruised right calf. He is recovering, according to coach Stephen Silas, and should play this weekend. … Kevin Porter Jr. missed his tenth straight game due to a bruised left foot. … Martin accumulated 18 points and 7 rebounds. … Sengun finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

BOARDS

On Wednesday, Houston had a 65-52 rebound advantage over Oklahoma City. With Sengun and Eason taking the lead, they have triumphed in each of their last three victories when it comes to rebounding.

“With those guys rebounding the way they are, they’re always going to give us a chance,” Gordon said.

UP NEXT

Thunder: On Saturday night, play the Rockets once more.

Rockets: On Friday night, they host Toronto.