Rockets’ Statement Win Over Thunder Shows They’re No Fluke

The Houston Rockets aren’t just talking the talk anymore; they’re walking it — and in clutch fashion.

In a Western Conference showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston’s mix of grit, resilience, and timely execution was on full display in a 119-116 victory. This wasn’t just another win. It was the kind of battle-tested moment that defines a team on the rise.

Dillon Brooks, known as a disruptor, set the tone late in the fourth. With the score knotted in the final minute, Brooks tangled with Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — his Team Canada comrade — over a rebound in the paint.

Call it a “friendly battle,” as Brooks later did, but the competitive fire was anything but tame. The two refused to let go of the ball, sparking a scrum that spilled into the Rockets’ bench area. Officials reviewed the fracas but wisely let the intensity play out without issuing technicals.

Moments later, Brooks won the ensuing jump ball and capped the possession with a 9-foot fadeaway as the shot clock expired. That bucket, set up by a seated-in-the-paint Alperen Sengun, gave Houston a lead it wouldn’t relinquish with 34 seconds left.

It was Brooks’ tenacity that stood out, and as Sengun said postgame, “Tough guy, won the jump ball, playing clutch for us. That was sweet to see.”

The win avenged a blowout loss to Oklahoma City earlier in the month and pulled the Rockets within a half-game of the Thunder, who currently lead the West. At 15-6, this is the best start for a Houston team in years, and it’s not just luck.

It’s the product of coach Ime Udoka’s culture overhaul and some key veteran additions.

Fred VanVleet, the headliner of those veterans, delivered when it mattered most, dropping a game-high 38 points, including a dagger-like 33-footer with just under 90 seconds remaining.

His leadership has been as critical as his scoring, guiding a young Rockets team that has transformed from an afterthought to a genuine contender in a crowded West.

“This shows growth,” Udoka told reporters. “We’re building on last year and the mindset of who we want to be going forward.”

That growth has been evident on defense. The Rockets entered the game with the NBA’s second-ranked defense, trailing only the Thunder. Holding Gilgeous-Alexander to two points in the fourth quarter — after he poured in 30 through three — underscored Houston’s commitment to winning in the trenches.

Even on an off shooting night (41.3% from the floor), they found ways to prevail, a testament to the team’s new identity.

“Winning is fun,” said Sengun, who finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. “We learned that after we got the vets. It’s so much fun now.”

This is the second statement win in as many games for Houston, following an overtime thriller against Minnesota earlier in the week. And while Udoka downplayed the idea of a statement win, the Rockets are clearly on the right track.

From Brooks’ feistiness to Sengun’s all-around brilliance to VanVleet’s clutch scoring, this team is built for more than just scraping by.

They’re built to make noise. And the rest of the league is starting to hear it.

• More Rockets | All coverage from Hoops Wire