The Houston Rockets got their starting point guard back with Fred VanVleet’s return after missing 11 games due to an ankle injury, but were unable to overcome the Sacramento Kings in a 103-113 loss at home despite an early exit by the Kings star forward Domantas Sabonis. The Rockets fell to 37-23 on the year and are now fifth in the Western Conference standings. (Photos by Sean Thomas)
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Things got chippy between Rockets forward Dillon Brooks and Kings guard DeMar DeRozan. -
Rockets guard Amen Thompson pregame. -
Rockets forward Alperen Sengun throws down a powerful dunk. -
Kings forward Domantas Sabonis left the game early in the first quarter with an injury and would not return. -
Kings forward Domantas Sabonis left the game early in the first quarter with an injury and would not return. -
Rockets players sign mini-basketballs pregame. -
Amen Thompson. -
Rockets guard Jalen Green throws down a dunk. -
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was rusty in his return from injury. -
Jalen Green works out pregame with Rockets trainers. -
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. splashes a three. -
Dillon Brooks unhappy with a call. -
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka. -
Amen Thompson signing autographs pregame. -
Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. -
DeMar DeRozan was unhappy with Dillon Brooks and had to be restrained. -
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Jalen Green and Amen Thompson. -
Rockets guard Cam Whitmore pregame. -
Fred VanVleet after a made three-pointer. -
Jabari Smith Jr. -
Jalen Green throws it down. -
Jalen Green and Amen Thompson after a foul was called. -
Cam Whitmore with fans pregame. -
Jabari Smith Jr. defends Kings guard Zach Lavine. -
Dillon Brooks for three. -
Jalen Green. -
Alperen Sengun had six turnovers in the loss to the Kings. -
Jalen Green makes a pass. -
Amen Thompson after forcing a turnover. -
Jalen Green and DeMar DeRozan postgame.