Rockets fly high, but can’t get past Pelicans

It was another valiant effort for the Rockets, but the result remained the same as most of what we’ve seen this season.

The Houston Rockets fell to the New Orleans Pelicans at home Sunday night by a score of 122-115.

The Rockets started off slow in the first quarter and could not withstand the size disadvantage the team held, but they were able to make enough runs to keep the game close.

Unfortunately for the Rockets, the injury bug bit once again during the first half as Danuel House Jr. left the game with an ankle injury.

The team trailed by 11 going into halftime and were sent off by a wild three-point buzzer beater from Kevin Porter Jr., who finished today’s game with 15 points.

The Rockets came out of halftime with one of their best quarters of the season with another stellar performance from Jae’Sean Tate, who scored 19 in the loss.

Here he is dishing one of the smoothest dimes all season long:

The Rockets took a three-point lead going into the fourth, but the Rockets could not hold their lead as Lonzo Ball, James Johnson and Willy Hernangomez stepped up in the final 12 minutes to steal the game back from the Rockets.

Ball returned tonight after two weeks away from the court due to injury and scored a game-high 27, while Johnson appeared to have a career night, scoring 18 and Hernangomez pitched in with a double-double off the bench.

The Rockets do have intangible value that they can take away from this game. When it comes to the rookies, Tate and Martin shined tonight, while core pieces Kevin Porter Jr. (8 turnovers) and Christian Wood (3-11 FG, 8-13 FT) struggled tonight. Not everyone can have a great night, but the promise is still there for these core four as we move further into the season.

The season continues tomorrow night as the Rockets host the Suns at Toyota Center. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. CT.