With 21 points and 9 rebounds in 26 minutes, Christian Wood fared well Wednesday in his first game since spraining his right ankle in early February. However, it wasn’t enough to keep the Rockets from an 18th straight loss, which is now the longest skid in franchise history.
Reserve guard Jordan Poole led the visiting Warriors (20-20) with 23 points in the 108-92 victory (box score) at Toyota Center, including 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%). Kelly Oubre Jr. (19), Steph Curry (18), Andrew Wiggins (17), and Draymond Green (16) all scored in double-figures, with Green (12 rebounds, 10 assists) accumulating a triple-double.
The Rockets were short-handed in the backcourt yet again, with guards John Wall (left knee contusion) and Eric Gordon (right groin strain) sidelined by injury and Victor Oladipo sitting out for planned maintenance on the second night of a back-to-back. Oladipo and Wall are expected back by Houston’s next game on Friday at home versus Detroit, though Gordon is likely to miss several more weeks.
While the 2021 playoffs are becoming almost assuredly out of reach, the Rockets (11-28) did see some promising signs — at least on offense — from their younger players. In addition to Wood, who connected on 8-of-12 shots (66.7%) from the field, second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. had 25 points (50.0% FG), 7 assists, and 3 steals in 37 minutes. It was the first game for Porter and Wood to play together as teammates.
Rookie forward KJ Martin added 13 points and 9 rebounds off the bench, while Danuel House Jr. returned to the starting lineup after a five-game injury absence (right knee contusion) and added 11 points in 24 minutes. Houston struggled as a unit defensively, with Golden State scoring 68 points in the first half and leading throughout the game.
Stephen Silas
Stephen Silas said it was tough for Christian Wood to get a rhythm under the minutes restriction but he's encouraged by his return. "Once we get everyone back, we're going to be pretty good."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 18, 2021
Stephen Silas first on Christian Wood and then Danuel House Jr returning which includes this overall thought: “Once we get everybody back we’re gonna be pretty good.” #Rockets pic.twitter.com/bwTCF85DQC
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 18, 2021
Stephen Silas said the chemistry wasn't great between Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr, which was to be expected. Tonight was the first time they had played together, which includes practice. He thought they forced some lobs
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 18, 2021
Silas wasn't happy about transition D: "Regardless of who we have on the floor, regardless of talent or anything, getting back in transition has nothing to do with talent. All it is, is wanting to get back, putting forth the effort to get back, getting back and getting set.." pic.twitter.com/uX0RHoaTbe
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 18, 2021
Stephen Silas on the chemistry between Kevin Porter Jr and Christian Wood: "It wasn't great tonight. It will get a lot better. You can see where it can be good, but for a point guard and a big to find chemistry on pick and rolls and know what each other's going to do…" pic.twitter.com/Jvnw1tsd62
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 18, 2021
Stephen Silas says the Rockets aren't going to simply become a good team just because they are getting healthy again: "It's not gonna be automatic, like we're just gonna be all in synch and everything is going to be perfect now that we have these guys back…" pic.twitter.com/pI7XGk0OTQ
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 18, 2021
Christian Wood
#Rockets Christian Wood said he wasn't dealing w/ any pain tonight. Said he wasn't even thinking about it (ankle) when he was out there. Said he'll still be on a minutes restriction vs Pistons (his former team) on Friday.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) March 18, 2021
#Rockets Christian Wood returned, did a crossover and made Draymond play Twister. 😳 pic.twitter.com/ZjOOx7H4h1
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 18, 2021
Christian Wood says he will be on a minutes restriction again in the next game against Detroit but he thinks that will be the last time.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 18, 2021
Christian Wood (21 points, 9 rebounds in 26 minutes) said it felt good playing in high-tops. Might go back to low-tops eventually, but if he continues to play well in high-tops, will stick with it.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 18, 2021
Kevin Porter Jr.
Got the commentators hatin smh. https://t.co/G18Ku2bZ7y
— Scoot (@Kevinporterjr) March 18, 2021
#Rockets Kevin Porter, Jr said he forced a few lob tries to Christian Wood, but also "he's a crazy lob threat…we've already got that chemistry off the court, so it will be easy to build it on the court." This was the first time they've been on the court together, incl. practice
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) March 18, 2021
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March 18, 2021 at 10:03AM
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Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr. shine in debut, but Rockets' historic skid continues - Rockets Wire
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