In rookie battle, Keegan Murray shoots Kings past Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets
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Two nights after allowing an astonishing 153 points in a loss at Oklahoma City, the defensive results weren’t much better for the young Houston Rockets in a 140-120 home loss (box score) to Sacramento. The Kings led comfortably for most of Monday’s game, with their 65 first-half points providing a formidable cushion.
In a battle of two rookie forwards drafted in the top-four picks of the 2022 first round, Sacramento’s Keegan Murray clearly outshined Jabari Smith Jr. of the Rockets. Smith, the No. 3 overall selection, saw his first-year offensive struggles continue with 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting (33.3%) and 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%).
Meanwhile, Murray — the No. 4 overall pick — led the Kings with 30 points and 6 rebounds on 11-of-17 shooting (64.7%), including 8-of-12 from 3-point range (66.7%). Sacramento (30-23) remains in an impressive third place in the Western Conference standings.
Key offensive statistics for the Rockets (13-41), who continue to hold the NBA’s worst record on the 2022-23 season, included:
Jalen Green: 27 points, 3 assists, 2 steals; 10-of-21 shooting (47.6%), 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%)
KJ Martin: 18 points, 8 rebounds; 8=of-10 shooting (80.0%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers
Eric Gordon: 16 points, 8 assists, 2 steals; 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%)
Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists; 4-of-10 shooting (40.0%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston is a rematch with the Kings in the same Toyota Center arena on Wednesday night, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Keegan Murray hits his 8th 3, then Jabari isolates him and airballs a mid range jumper and thats a good summary of how each rookie's season has gone
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 7, 2023
Kings could have the top-rated offense in the league by end of game. They were close to Denver, who is off, for top spot. But Rockets cannot helpless to get stops. Kings shooting 54.4 %, 47.1 % on 3s, lead 117-97, with 6:19 left. Drive home safely.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 7, 2023
Malik Monk is literally walking into wide open threes. Rockets trail Kings 117-97 with six minutes to go. Not a great response after the OKC game.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 7, 2023
Rockets miss KPJ's consistent scoring. I know its a polarizing opinion, but you need another player who can get their own shot in this offense and for whatever your opinion of him is that is one thing he does better than anyone on the team
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 7, 2023
Fantastic third quarter from Jalen Green:
14 points on 5/8 FG + much more locked in defensively
He's up to 24 points for the game
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 7, 2023
Final: Rockets 120, Kings 140.
Kings made threes in the 4th (11 attempts) and 21 for 41 from 3 in the game.
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) February 7, 2023
Rockets vs Kings Thoughts:
1. Always refreshing when Jalen Green goes off & reminds us of his insane scoring-champ potential
2. Run the offense thru Sengun & never stop. It’s a thing of beauty
3. KJ Martin. Superb role player
4. Jabari Smith has a long (very long) way to go
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) February 7, 2023
Keegan has made more threes than Jabari has made FGs
— Abel (@AbelGe87) February 7, 2023
Oh my God Keegan is putting Jabari in the dirt
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) February 7, 2023
Sengun's 3 ball looks so much better this year
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) February 7, 2023
293 points allowed in the last 2 games. That’s the state of the Rockets defense right now.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 7, 2023
Kings 140, Rockets 120. Keegan Murray with a Kings rookie record 30. Kings 21 of 41 on 3s. Jalen Green with 27, Eric Gordon matches season high with eight assists. But Rockets defense crushed again. Kings shoot 58.4 %.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 7, 2023
Stephen Silas on Houston’s defensive effort— “Acting as if it doesn’t matter, it matters. It’s disappointing. That’s not right. What we did on the floor, it’s not right.”
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 7, 2023
Jabari has shown some flashes but man this stretch of games has been brutal. Just not nearly strong enough yet.
Has to take a big physical step forward this offseason.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) February 7, 2023
