Takeaways: Klay Thompson shows peak form as Warriors blast Rockets
With starting guards Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jalen Green (left groin strain) still sidelined, the short-handed Houston Rockets lost their eighth straight game in Friday’s 116-101 loss (box score) at Golden State. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 42 points on a blistering 12-of-17 clip (70.6%) from 3-point range.
The Rockets (13-46) continue to own the NBA’s worst record, while the defending champion Warriors (30-30) evened their 2022-23 mark as they pursue a potential berth in the 2023 playoffs.
The Warriors were short-handed, as well, with absences including Draymond Green (right knee contusion), Andrew Wiggins (personal reasons), and superstar guard Steph Curry (lower leg sprain).
Key statistics for the Rockets included:
KJ Martin: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks; 7-of-12 shooting (60.0%), 0-of-3 on 3-pointers, 8-of-9 free throws (88.9%)
Jae’Sean Tate: 14 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 assists; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
TyTy Washington: 15 points, 4 assists, 2 steals; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
Alperen Sengun: 5 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists; 2-of-10 shooting (20.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
Jabari Smith Jr.: 13 points, 9 rebounds; 4-of-16 shooting (25.0%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%)
Josh Christopher: 13 points, 1 rebound, 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Chase Center. Next up for Houston is Sunday night’s game at Portland, with tipoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
They're playing good defense against Klay Thompson and he's doing this lmao I'm speechless.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 25, 2023
I’ve watched Steph and Klay drain threes on my franchise for a decade now. I’m numb to it now.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 25, 2023
Who’s made more 3s in #Rockets games this season?
Jabari or Klay?
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) February 25, 2023
Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson 3 point bonanza vs the Rockets confirmed 🙄 😞😞😞
Happens like clockwork.
— Brit | IG link in my profile (@britrobotista) February 25, 2023
The year is 2050.
Klay Thompson is still breaking the hearts of Rockets fans.
— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Card) February 25, 2023
It didn't work out tonight, but I like the dual point guard approach with having both Nix and TyTy on the floor — especially without Jalen Green/Kevin Porter Jr. You need all the playmaking help you can muster. 22 assists to just 7 turnovers tonight.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 25, 2023
Alperen Sengun was struggling to score, but doing a good job on the glass (9 boards) and setting up teammates (8 dimes) and was just -3 in his minutes.
Still not on the court with less than 3 minutes left in the game.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 25, 2023
Sorry at some point you have to change up your defense. No way you EVER leave him open. Switch everything and run him off the line.
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 25, 2023
Daishen Nix vs. Klay Thompson three-point shootout!
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 25, 2023
Klay Thompson wants to go home.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 25, 2023
Klay Thompson has his 18th career 40-point game in the regular season (fourth this season) with 42 points on 12-of-19 from the field, tying a season high with 12 3-pointers (12-of-17 3FG).
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) February 25, 2023
Stephen Silas checked Alperen Şengün out of the game with 4:10 left in the third quarter and we didn't see Sengun the rest of the game.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 25, 2023
This is pretty special from Klay.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 25, 2023
FINAL: Warriors 116, Rockets 101.
Golden State tied a season high with 26 3-pointers. Klay Thompson was a beast. Rockets kept turnovers down but shot 39 percent from the field, 31.4 percent on 3s.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 25, 2023
Some people may not like this but this isn't the night to complain about Sengun not playing in the 4th. The Warriors took him out of the game
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 25, 2023
Klay Thompson's two games against the Rockets this season
*41 points on 14/23 FG, 10/13 from 3 in November
*42 points on 12/19 FG, 12/19 from 3 tonight22 made 3s in 72 minutes
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 25, 2023
Most career games with 12+ threes:
3 – Klay Thompson
2 – Stephen Curry
1 – Kobe Bryant
1 – Donyell Marshall
1 – Zach LaVine#NBA | #DubNation pic.twitter.com/iBICCF0wH1— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) February 25, 2023
Finished with a +2 in 34 minutes and the #Rockets were -19 in the 14 minutes he was on the bench. Extremely small sample but really shows a nice feel for the game. https://t.co/sa2lgXHUPT
— Don Dougan (@don_dougan) February 25, 2023
#Rockets thoughts
Alperen Sengun benched at 4:01 left in the third. Why?
Jabari Smith Jr. 4/16… Ouch
KJ Martin stays consistently good
Josh Christopher is great when he gets downhill
TyTy Washington looks like a legitimate NBA point guard, keep him in the starting lineup
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 25, 2023
6-of-26 from Smith and Sengun on a night without your starting backcourt is rough
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 25, 2023
Stephen Silas on Alperen Sengun tonight: "The switching is more difficult when Alpi is on the floor. That makes the defense a little more difficult, against this team in particular."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 25, 2023
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