Rockets center Christian Wood had 20 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocked shots on Saturday as Houston (2-2) won its second consecutive home game over the Sacramento Kings, 102-94 (box score).

Wood also showed an ability to play crucial minutes late in the game without fouling. Despite picking up his fifth foul in the third quarter, Wood checked back in at the 8:00 mark of the fourth and played the remainder of the game without committing a sixth foul (which would have disqualified him). His shot-blocking presence and mobility as an athletic 6-foot-10 big man proved critical to Houston’s defensive scheme.

In all, the Rockets limited the Kings (3-3) to 30 points in the second half — 17 in the third quarter, and 13 in the fourth. That made for quite a defensive turnaround after giving up 64 in the first half.

On offense, Wood scored 20 or more points for a fourth straight game to start his Houston career (fifth if including the preseason). He made a pair of 3-pointers early in the game, and then routinely provided a lob presence for playmaking guard John Wall in pick-and-roll opportunities.

Despite being without All-Star guard James Harden (sprained ankle), the scoring punch from Wood, Wall (28 points), and Eric Gordon (21) was enough to lift the Rockets over 100 for a fourth straight game.

For the 2020-21 season to date, Wood is now averaging 23.8 points (55.7% FG), 10.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He ranks in the top 15 of the NBA in those categories, and if sustained, those numbers could absolutely put the 25-year-old in the running for an All-Star spot.

Wood and the Rockets will return to action on Monday with a divisional matchup at home versus rival Dallas. Tipoff from Toyota Center is set for 7:00 p.m. Central, as Houston wraps up a three-game homestand.