Houston, we have lift-off. The Rockets put their foot down at Toyota Center, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 117-106 on Thursday night. The final was never in doubt late. Alperen Şengün returned from illness and took control. James Harden’s seventh trip back to Houston added heat to a game that already carried weight. The two storylines collided, and the Rockets made the louder statement.
Houston improves to 15-6, a top-tier start that signals real Western Conference intent.
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Şengün’s return sets the tone
This game swung in the paint. Şengün demanded touches, read double teams, and punished single coverage. His footwork and balance were sharp. His touch around the rim was soft. He ran the floor, set sturdy screens, and kept the offense moving with quick decisions.
Houston fed off it. The ball zipped side to side. The wings cut hard. The second unit held the line and then pushed it forward. With their young star back, the Rockets looked like themselves again. The timing returned. The spacing made sense. The shots, and the stops, followed.
Harden’s homecoming, and Houston’s answer
Harden knows this building. The noise rose with every touch. He tried to control the tempo and get downhill. Houston walled off the middle, showed help early, and made him work. The Rockets switched at the right moments and contested kick-out threes. When Harden did find gaps, Houston recovered and forced late-clock shots.
It was a measured plan. No panic. Stay in front, protect the glass, and trust help. Harden had pockets of rhythm, but the Rockets never let him dictate the game. The energy in the arena was loud, and Houston’s poise matched it.
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How the game unfolded
The Rockets built a cushion by winning the possession game. They limited live-ball turnovers and attacked the rim. When the Clippers tried small lineups, Houston pounded the paint. When Los Angeles went big, the Rockets spread them out and cut behind ball pressure. The third quarter settled it. Houston’s defense squeezed the floor, the offense found clean threes, and the lead stretched.
- Şengün controlled the interior, creating inside-out looks.
- Houston’s wings defended without fouling and finished plays.
- The second unit kept pressure on the rim.
- The Clippers’ defense broke down on late-clock rotations.
Clippers at a crossroads
The Clippers fell to 6-18. The record says enough. Effort comes and goes. Communication breaks at the worst times. They are conceding straight-line drives and losing shooters in the corners. Health has been a constant issue. Continuity is not there. The result is a team that plays in bursts, not in full quarters.
Los Angeles must simplify. Protect the rim, pack the paint, and close out under control. Shorten the rotation until roles settle. Lean on lineups that defend, then build offense from stops. Right now, too many trips end with a scramble and a late contest. That is a losing formula.
The Clippers’ defense and availability need immediate answers, or the season will slip away fast.
What this win means for Houston
This is not just one win in December. It is a checkpoint. With Şengün back, the Rockets’ identity sharpened. Inside force, ball movement, layered defense, and a bench that does not give ground. At 15-6, Houston is not sneaking up on anyone. The chemistry is real, and the ceiling keeps rising.
The Western race is crowded, but Houston’s path is clear. Keep the paint touches high. Keep turnovers low. Keep the defense connected. If they do that, they will host playoff games and expect to win them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won the Clippers vs Rockets game and what was the score?
A: The Rockets beat the Clippers 117-106 at Toyota Center.
Q: Why was this game a big deal?
A: Alperen Şengün returned from illness and dominated, and James Harden faced his former team in Houston.
Q: How did Alperen Şengün look in his return?
A: He was the best big on the floor. He scored inside, passed out of pressure, and anchored the offense.
Q: What is the bigger issue for the Clippers right now?
A: Defense and health. They allow too many easy looks and do not have steady lineups.
Q: What does this mean for the Rockets’ season?
A: At 15-6, they look like a top-four team in the West, with growing chemistry and a clear identity.
Houston sent a message. The Rockets are not a feel-good story. They are a force. With Şengün steering the attack and a connected group around him, they outplayed the Clippers in every phase. The scoreboard, and the standings, tell the rest. 🔥
