The Houston Rockets faced a challenging game against the Indiana Pacers, ultimately losing 115-102. Despite a strong start with Jalen Green scoring six points early, the Rockets couldn't maintain their momentum. Alperen Sengun led the scoring with 25 points, while Tyrese Haliburton shined for the Pacers with 21 points at halftime. The Rockets struggled with shooting consistency, especially in the second quarter when Indiana outscored them, largely due to Haliburton's contributions.

Defensively, Ime Udoka's strategies, including zone defense, aimed to counter the Pacers' offensive rhythm but fell short. Houston's bench also underperformed, with only 12 points compared to Indiana's 22. The Rockets briefly rallied in the fourth, cutting Indiana's lead to just one, but a string of missed shots ultimately sealed their fate. They'll look to bounce back against the New Orleans Pelicans next.

In a hard-fought contest, the Houston Rockets fell to the Sacramento Kings 113-103, despite a strong performance from Alperen Sengun, who led the Rockets with 30 points and 8 rebounds. Jalen Green contributed with 24 points as well. The game started poorly for Houston, as they trailed 12-3 before responding with an 18-6 run, closing the first quarter down by just four points. However, the Rockets struggled to keep pace, particularly in the fourth quarter where they shot only 39% from the field.

Sacramento maintained control throughout the game, with Domantas Sabonis exiting early due to a hamstring injury. Dillon Brooks gave the Rockets a brief lead in the second quarter, but they ultimately could not overcome the Kings' efficiency, who shot over 50% from the field and dominated points in the paint. The Rockets will look to bounce back against the Oklahoma City Thunder next.

The Sacramento Kings faced a significant setback in their pursuit of a playoff spot when center Domantas Sabonis exited early in the game against the Houston Rockets due to a left hamstring injury. Sabonis hurt himself while maneuvering for a pass, resulting in him needing assistance to leave the court after just over a minute of play.

In his absence, Jonas Valančiūnas stepped in, contributing 11 points and eight rebounds in a limited 14 minutes. Meanwhile, Alperen Şengün took advantage of the situation, posting 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists in the first half.

Despite this injury, Sabonis had been having a standout season, averaging 19.9 points and 14.4 rebounds while showcasing improved shooting from three-point range. The Kings were holding onto the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference at the time, three games clear of the Phoenix Suns for the last play-in spot, after stringing together five wins in their last seven games.

The Sacramento Kings face a significant setback in their quest for an NBA play-in tournament spot following an injury to center Domantas Sabonis. Just over a minute into the game against the Houston Rockets, Sabonis left the court due to a left hamstring injury. Despite his efforts to stay in the game, the injury forced him to exit, leaving the Kings vulnerable.

Sabonis, averaging nearly 20 points and 14 rebounds this season, has been a crucial player for Sacramento. His absence allowed the Rockets' Alperen Şengün to shine, contributing significantly to the game. The Kings, holding a tenuous lead over the Phoenix Suns for the final play-in position, need to regroup quickly as they strive to maintain their playoff hopes amidst this injury crisis.

Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets is making his mark in the NBA, showcasing his growing playmaking abilities during Fred VanVleet's absence due to injury. Thompson's ball-handling responsibilities have increased significantly, allowing him to excel as the de facto distributor for the Rockets. He posted an impressive third career triple-double recently, reflecting his improved playmaking skills. While VanVleet is set to return soon, the question remains whether Thompson will retain his role as a starter, given his stellar performance in recent games.

Thompson's assist percentage has soared to 25.2% without VanVleet, significantly higher than his previous 12.8% when both were healthy. This increase indicates his adaptability and potential as a secondary creator in the Rockets’ offense. Coach Ime Udoka acknowledges Thompson's growth, suggesting that his experience will only enhance the team's dynamics upon VanVleet's return. As the Rockets aim to solidify their lineup with returning players, Thompson's recent contributions could secure him a permanent role in the starting five.