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Reaction: Luka Doncic edges out Alperen Sengun as Mavs knock Rockets from in-season tourney

ben dubose
·6 min read

The Rockets (8-7, 2-2) were eliminated from NBA in-season tournament competition after Tuesday’s 121-115 loss (box score) to the Dallas Mavericks (11-6, 2-2) at American Airlines Center. Houston is now 0-6 in road games in the 2023-24 season to date.

With a 3-1 mark within the group, New Orleans advances to the quarterfinals stage out of Western Conference Group B.

All-Star guard and perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic led Dallas with a game-high 41 points and 9 assists, shooting 15-of-29 from the field (51.7%). Backcourt mate Kyrie Irving added 27 points and 5 assists, though Houston held him to 8-of-22 shooting (36.4%).

For the Rockets, who led by 9 points late in the third quarter before being outscored 37-27 in the fourthquarter, standouts included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 31 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists; 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%), 11-of-14 on free throws (78.6%)

  • Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 12 assists, 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)

  • Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 6 fouls

  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 16 points, 9 rebounds, 7-of-11 shooting (60.0%)

  • Jalen Green: 12 points, 4 assists, 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%)

  • Tari Eason: 11 points, 8 rebounds in 21 minutes; 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%)

The Rockets connected on just 8-of-27 from 3-point range (29.6%) as a team, which wasn’t enough versus a high-octane opponent.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews following Tuesday’s game in Dallas, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is night two of a road back-to-back on Wednesday in Denver (12-6), where tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. Central.

Nov. 28 Rockets-Mavericks reaction

Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire