ANOTHER WIN FOR HOUSTON!
Alperen Sengun's huge night helps Rockets beat Wizards 107-92
Nov 12, 2024, 10:45 am
Rockets defeat the Wizards, 107-92. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
Alperen Sengun scored 27 points for a second straight game and added 17 rebounds, leading the Houston Rockets to a 107-92 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night.
Sengun hit 12 of 19 shots and added three blocks. Jalen Green scored 18 points, Amen Thompson had 13, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Aaron Holiday each added 11.
With Fred VanVleet out due to a hamstring injury that coach Ime Udoka said was a day-to-day issue, rookie Reed Sheppard and Holiday saw increased minutes. Sheppard matched his early career high with seven points.
Washington forward Kyle Kuzma returned from a five-game absence due to a right groin strain and led Washington with 18 points on 7-for-18 shooting in 24 minutes. Jordan Poole had 11 points and eight turnovers.
Houston led 55-40 at halftime and never trailed.
The Rockets have won four of five and improved to 7-4, their best 11-game start since the 2019-20 season. Washington has lost five straight.
Takeaways
Wizards: Washington was outrebounded 58-34. The Wizards have failed to outrebound their opponent in all nine games this season. Jonas Valanciunas led Washington with eight rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench. Rookie second-overall pick Alexandre Sarr had six.
Rockets: Sengun has back-to-back 20-point games for the first time this season, a feat he regularly accomplished in last year’s breakout campaign when he averaged 21.1 points. Getting Sengun involved early and often is key for Houston’s success.
Key Moment
The Rockets went on a 10-0 run late in the second quarter, stretching a five-point lead into a 15-point lead that they never relinquished.
Key Stat
The Wizards made just one free throw in the first half on four attempts and finished 9 of 13, both season lows. Houston went 22 for 25.
Up Next
On Wednesday night, the Wizards visit San Antonio, while the Rockets host the Clippers.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars found a trade partner — a division rival, no less — for receiver Christian Kirk before officially releasing him.
The Jaguars agreed to trade Kirk to AFC South opponent Houston on Thursday for a seventh-round draft pick in 2026, a person familiar with the move said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side had confirmed the deal, which won't be official until the new league year begins Wednesday.
The Texans were looking for a slot receiver after Tank Dell underwent a second knee surgery earlier this week. They also are letting veteran Stefon Diggs leave in free agency.
The 28-year-old Kirk will now pair with Nico Collins to give the Texans a formidable duo for quarterback C.J. Stroud, assuming Kirk can stay healthy.
Jacksonville told Kirk and his agent that the team planned to release him Wednesday. But few expected this divisional twist.
“Kirk to Houston can't be real,” Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen posted on X.
Trading Kirk will save the Jaguars $10.4 million against the salary cap in 2025. It will cost the team $13.6 million in dead money, though. The Texans would be on the hook for his $15.5 million salary unless he agrees to a restructured deal.
Kirk signed a four-year, $72 million deal in free agency in 2022. He delivered 84 catches for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns — all career highs — that season. But he has missed 14 games since.
He missed the final five games in 2023 because of a core muscle injury and missed the final nine games last year after breaking a collarbone while trying to make a diving catch on a deep pass.
The Jaguars looked to move him at the trade deadline in late October, but the injury ended any chances of making that work. They discussed having him rework his contract to remain on the roster in 2025, but the sides failed to reach an agreement.
Kirk has 404 catches for 5,176 yards and 29 touchdowns in seven seasons, including four with Arizona. He clearly became Trevor Lawrence’s second option behind standout rookie Brian Thomas Jr. last season.