The Rockets got this monkey off their back in win vs Spurs

The Houston Rockets finally did it.

Beat the Spurs? No. That's something they've had no issue doing in 2024-25. The Rockets are ahead of Spurs in their rebuilding process. With Victor Wembanyama on the shelf, that's supposed to be an easy win.

In the second game of a back-to-back, nothing is certain with the Rockets.

They'd lost 5 of their last 7 games without rest heading into this contest. The Rockets looked exhausted. Ime Udoka has this team playing with maximum effort this season. That's mostly been beneficial, but it's started to look like it was costing the Rockets. To accomplish their goals in 2024-25, they need to be able to win two nights in a row.

So, Wednesday's win against the Spurs mattered.

Rockets finish the job against Spurs

Amen Thompson and Jalen Green carried the day in this one.

Thompson had 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. He flashed his ability to generate offense in half-court sets. Thompson's long-term ability to play point guard has been under scrutiny, but last night, he gave Rockets fans hope.

Green finished with 21 points on 9/17 shooting from the field and 3/8 shooting from downtown with 7 rebounds. It may be time to challenge the narrative that Green "just needs to be consistent". He's starting to turn in quality performances more often than not.

It wasn't a perfect night for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun got himself in some early foul trouble that limited him to just 19 minutes. Jabari Smith Jr. was 4/15 from the field. Still, it's encouraging that Thompson and Green could lead Houston to a win. They were fortunate to get 19 points on 5/8 shooting from long-range from Dillon Brooks.

What does it all mean?

Rockets need wins where they can get them

It's worth looking into how the Spurs performed.

If anyone was going to carry the Spurs, it was likely to be De'Aaron Fox. He had 7 points. Fox still seems to be incorporating himself into the Spurs' offense. Put differently:

Even on the wrong side of a back-to-back, the Rockets are supposed to beat a Wembanyama-less Spurs.

Let's focus on the fact that they did it. As the playoffs approach, the stakes around the NBA are rising. The Rockets are in the fourth seed with just a half-game lead over the Lakers. They're a game-and-a-half behind the Nuggets for the third seed. To secure the best seed they can heading into the postseason, the Rockets need every win:

Even this one.