Imagine a basketball game where a single player nearly achieves a triple-double, sparking a thrilling comeback that leaves fans on the edge of their seats. That’s exactly what happened when Alperen Sengun dominated the court, falling just one assist short of this rare feat, as the Houston Rockets clawed their way to a 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: the game wasn’t just about Sengun’s near-heroics. Reed Sheppard exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of his 21 points, while Kevin Durant chipped in with 18 points, propelling the Rockets to their third consecutive win. And this is the part most people miss—the game was delayed by 22 minutes after a player accidentally bent a rim during warmups, forcing a replacement. Talk about an unexpected twist!
The Rockets’ journey to victory wasn’t easy. They faced a 16-point deficit and trailed by 10 at the start of the fourth quarter. But a relentless run, fueled by Sheppard’s clutch performance, closed the gap. With just two minutes left, the game was tied until Sheppard blocked Julian Champagnie’s 3-point attempt, setting the stage for Jabari Smith Jr.’s fadeaway shot that put the Rockets ahead 106-104. Sengun then sealed the deal with a basket in the final 30 seconds, extending the lead to 108-104. But here’s the controversial part: while Champagnie’s eight 3-pointers led the Spurs with 27 points, Victor Wembanyama was held to just 14 points and 10 rebounds—a performance that raises questions about the Spurs’ reliance on their star player.
Now, let’s dive deeper. Champagnie’s stellar night comes on the heels of his franchise record of 11 3-pointers in a win over the Knicks on December 31. Meanwhile, the Rockets’ fourth-quarter surge was nothing short of remarkable. Trailing by five midway through the quarter, Sheppard single-handedly led an 8-2 run, putting the Rockets ahead 101-100 with four minutes remaining. The Spurs, who led by 10 entering the fourth, watched their lead evaporate as Houston scored the first nine points of the quarter, including a 3-pointer from Sheppard. Dylan Harper finally broke the drought for San Antonio with seven minutes left, but it wasn’t enough.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Is the Spurs’ over-reliance on Wembanyama a sustainable strategy, or do they need to diversify their offensive approach? Let us know in the comments!
Looking ahead, the Spurs will visit Utah on Thursday night, while the Rockets head to Philadelphia. Both teams will be looking to build on this intense matchup, but only time will tell who’ll come out on top next. One thing’s for sure—this game was a rollercoaster from start to finish, and it’s a reminder of why we love basketball!
