HOUSTON — The Thunder, tracking toward 70 wins entering Friday night, nearly forgot the feeling of defeat. As they faced the Houston Rockets, the team experienced a sensation not felt since March 10, a loss to the Denver Nuggets. This marked the Thunder’s first defeat after an impressive run of 11 consecutive victories, ending with a score of 125-111 against a determined Rockets squad.
In a post-game reflection, Thunder forward Jalen Williams stated, ‘I think you can learn a lot more from a loss. When you lose, you start to think about all the stuff that actually goes into winning a game.’ Williams led the Thunder in scoring, finishing with 33 points.
Throughout the game, the Thunder struggled to find their rhythm. Houston’s center Alperen Sengun showcased his skills, scoring 31 points and making crucial plays that left the Thunder’s defense scrambling. Sengun’s dynamic performance, especially his dunk that resulted in a late timeout called by the Thunder, demonstrated the Rockets’ dominance on the night.
Despite playing at their best, the Thunder could not overcome a series of unfortunate circumstances. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a leading scorer for the team, had a quiet second quarter, failing to attempt a shot, and finishing with 22 points on 22 shots. ‘We were taking the ball out most of the game,’ said Gilgeous-Alexander, expressing his disappointment with the team’s performance.
Rockets guard Jalen Green added to their momentum, scoring a team-high 34 points, highlighting the offensive prowess of the Houston team. Houston shot an impressive 51% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range, which proved decisive against the Thunder.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are set to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, seeking to rebound from this rare setback. As Williams noted, ‘We’re trying to get ready and figure out what works and what doesn’t before the playoffs.’
