Rockets Fall To Knicks As Immanuel Quickley Scores Career-Best 40 points
New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau had high praise for the Houston Rockets' young corps despite the team riding a five-game losing streak. The praise Thibodeau gave kept the Rockets in the game until the fourth quarter, which led to Houston sustaining a 137-115 loss to the Knicks inside Madison Square Garden.
The 22-point loss does not justify how well the Rockets played through the first three quarters on Monday.
A great start on the second night of a back-to-back led to the Rockets trailing the Knicks by three (36-33) entering the second quarter. And by halftime, Houston trailed New York 66-61 following their early 10-point deficit in the second period.
The Rockets stayed competitive against the Knicks due to the production of K.J. Martin and Jalen Green, who each scored 16 points in the first half. Green finished the game with 19 points on 4-for-11 shooting, while Martin added 18 points in the loss.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored a team-best 26 points on 8-for-14 shooting, 3-for-6 from behind the arc. Porter had a bounce-back performance after he scored six points in Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored a dozen during the third quarter.
All five starters scored in double-figures. Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds. Alepren Sengun added 11 points.
Houston hung tight with New York until the fourth quarter, where the Knicks extended their lead to 33 points. Immanuel Quickley scored a career-high with 40 points on 14-for-17 shooting, 5-for-7 from deep. Julius Randle added 26 points in the win.
The Knicks were able to take control of the game due to a 27-7 run that began late in the third quarter.
The Rockets' losing streak against the Knicks reaches seven:
By falling to the Knicks, the Rockets received their third consecutive regular-season sweep of New York. The loss also extended Houston's losing streak against the Knicks to seven.
Jae'Sean Tate missed his fourth consecutive game:
Jae'Sean Tate missed his fourth consecutive game due to a sore left knee. Coach Stephen Silas said there isn't a timetable for his return. But amid his absence, the Rockets have missed his on-court versatility.
Up Next:
The Rockets will close their five-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Houston will return to the Toyota Center Friday night for a match against the Detroit Pistons. The contest will mark the first of three consecutive home games for the Rockets.
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