Houston, Texas – The Houston Rockets’ nine-game winning streak hit a break on March 23, 2025, as they faced the Denver Nuggets, who clinched a victory despite playing without their star player, Nikola Jokic. The Rockets, who are in second place in the Western Conference, had the chance to further secure their position but fell short.
The game started promisingly for the Rockets, as the teams were tied at 27 points after the first quarter. Houston held small leads, but Denver kept pushing back, ending the second quarter even at 30 points. As the game progressed, Jamal Murray took control, ending the night with 39 points while shooting 15-of-28, leading the Nuggets to a decisive 37-20 third-quarter victory.
“We knew we had to step up without Jokic,” Murray said after the game. “We trusted each other, and we executed our game plan.” His performance was amplified by solid play from DeAndre Jordan, who contributed to the Nuggets’ offensive surge.
Despite their struggles, the Rockets showed resilience, narrowing the gap to six points in the fourth quarter. However, as the pressure mounted, missed shots and turnovers proved costly. The team struggled with free throws as well, finishing 22-of-34 from the line, underscoring a growing concern that could hamper their playoff chances.
“We could have sealed the deal, but we kept taking bad shots,” Rockets’ guard Fred VanVleet noted. He had two points from a difficult shooting night, going 2-of-12. “We can’t afford to miss those chances if we want to win games like these.”
Despite disappointing moments, the Rockets had standout performances from players like Jalen Green, who scored 30 points, but shot poorly at 8-of-22. Alperen Sengun, on the other hand, posted solid numbers with 17 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, yet admitted the team lacked the necessary aggression to draw away wins close in games.
The Nuggets closed out the game efficiently, demonstrating their experience as recent champions, with teamwork evident on both ends of the court. Coach Michael Malone valued the win, stating, “We played together and relied on each other, and we came through when it mattered most.”
The Rockets could take comfort in their overall standing, sitting in second place in the West and sporting a record of 9-1 over the last ten games, yet facing pressing issues will take focus as they prepare for the playoffs.
