GREEN DOES IT AGAIN
Rockets storm back from 25 down to stun 76ers in overtime thriller
Mar 18, 2025, 10:56 am
The Rockets beat the 76ers, 144-137. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. had 30 points apiece and the Houston Rockets rallied for a 144-137 overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, extending their season-best winning streak to seven games.
The Rockets trailed by as many as 25 points and never led in regulation before their late rally.
Houston was up by six points after opening overtime with a 9-3 run. Quentin Grimes made a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 140-137 with less than 2½ minutes left in OT.
But Alperen Sengun made two free throws with just over a minute left before Aaron Holiday added two more with 12.1 seconds remaining, making it 144-137 and securing the win.
The Rockets trailed by eight with less than a minute to go in the fourth before using a 10-2 run to tie it at 131, forcing overtime.
Smith made one free throw before missing the second, and Sengun grabbed the rebound and made the put-back to tie it with 3.1 seconds left in the fourth. Philadelphia had a chance to win it in regulation, but Jalen Hood-Schifino’s jumper missed.
Grimes had career highs of 46 points and 13 rebounds with a career-best eight 3-pointers for the Sixers. His performance helped Philadelphia tie a franchise record with 24 3s.
Takeaways
76ers: These young players, who are filling in for a roster decimated by injuries, continue to play hard, and Grimes has been almost unstoppable lately. The former University of Houston star has scored at least 40 points twice this month and over 30 four times.
Rockets: Houston needs to play more consistently after falling into a huge hole early.
Key moment
Sengun’s putback with 3.1 seconds left in the fourth that sent it to overtime.
Key stat
The teams combined for 46 3-pointers, with Houston making a season-high 22.
Up next
Houston visits Orlando on Wednesday, and Philadelphia visits Oklahoma City that night.
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The Houston Astros wrapped up yet another series win this week, this time taking two of three from the struggling Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Despite missing several key players and a bullpen that wasn’t fully available, the Astros continued their recent run of success, pushing their record to 52-35.
Manager Joe Espada appeared to be playing the long game in the rubber match on Thursday. After Houston rallied to tie the game in the seventh inning, Espada stuck with reliever Jordan Weems instead of turning to his high-leverage arms. That decision, while frustrating to some fans hoping for the sweep, underscored the team’s cautious approach to workload management as they navigate a long season.
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Astros cleanup hitter RBIs this season:
Cam Smith: 10 RBIs in 7 games
All others: 28 RBIs in 80 games
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) July 3, 2025
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The transparency around Alvarez’s situation is part of a larger shift. After being criticized in recent seasons for vague injury updates, the Astros have begun issuing daily availability reports. It’s a move that signals the front office is trying to regain some trust with the media and fans after a stretch of frustrating ambiguity around player health.
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Saturday sets the stage for one of the most anticipated pitching matchups of the season: Framber Valdez versus Shohei Ohtani. With both teams fighting for positioning in their respective divisions, this weekend in LA should serve as a measuring stick—and perhaps a postseason preview.
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