Jackson Gatlin here, the host of the daily Locked On Rockets podcast, with your daily Locked On Rockets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Rockets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Amen Thompson MONSTER Triple-Double & Alperen Sengun DOMINATES Inside As Rockets Beat Cavs AGAIN
Amen Thompson: The X Factor
Amen Thompson is THE pivotal force for the Houston Rockets, playing a crucial role in their 135-131 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he recorded a monster triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. Thompson’s impact was felt throughout the game, particularly in the closing moments where his offensive rebounds and clutch free throws were instrumental in securing the win. His defensive versatility was also on display, as he effectively guarded multiple positions, including Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell. Thompson’s ability to adapt and excel in various roles makes him an invaluable asset to the Rockets, and his recent performances suggest he is blossoming into a star-caliber player.
Alperen Sengun: Dominating the Paint
Alperen Sengun continues to make a strong case for his inclusion in the All-Star game with his commanding presence on the court. Against the Cavaliers, Sengun delivered a standout performance, scoring 26 points and showcasing his offensive skills against a tough defensive frontcourt featuring Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. His ability to draw double teams and create opportunities for his teammates was evident throughout the game. Sengun’s performance not only highlighted his scoring ability but also his basketball IQ, as he made smart plays and maintained control of the ball with no turnovers.
Jan 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) rebounds beside center Nick Richards (2) in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | David Richard/David Richard-Imagn Images
It’s hard to pinpoint problems for a middling team. Very bad and excellent teams at least have one thing in common, which is that their deficits are easy to spot. With a team languishing in the middle of the standings, not so bad they’ll slide to the bottom and not good enough to climb past the more competent contenders above them, the deficits stack up and shuffle from day to day.
The Suns are firmly in this category.
There’s personnel issues, that much is clear after center Jusuf Nurkic said over the weekend that he and head coach Mike Budenholzer have no relationship. Not a bad relationship, not a testy one, but none whatsoever. Nurkic also said that he and Budenholzer didn’t speak for two months, and that Budenholzer didn’t tell Nurkic he’d be coming off the bench. That goes directly against what Budenholzer told media when he made the decision.
It’s a strange departure given that Budenholzer travelled to Croatia in the summer, shortly after the Suns hired him to replace the one season shoes of Frank Vogel, to spend time with Nurkic. Nurkic admired Coach Bud’s accountability, and the way he in turn held his players accountable.
“That’s the number one thing I noticed about him that’s different from any coach in my career,” Nurkic said, back in October. “I’ve had a lot of them. I was really amazed he got over and spent a few days with me.”
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview The Houston Rockets are set to face the Boston Celtics in a highly anticipated matchup. Key players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jalen Green will be in the spotlight. Game preview details what to expect in this clash. (The Dream Shake)
Analysis The Houston Rockets are looking strong as they aim to sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. The performance of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun has been pivotal. Check out the detailed analysis of their strategy. (The Dream Shake)
Preview The Houston Rockets need a strong outing against the Celtics in their upcoming rematch. A thorough game preview discusses key tactics and player impacts. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor With the trade deadline approaching, the buzz around the Houston Rockets is intensifying. Discover the latest rumors and what might unfold. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Rockets host the Celtics tonight at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The NBA action over the weekend was intense, with 15 games providing plenty of storylines to dissect. Let’s dive into some of the most notable performances and developments.
In Paris, the Indiana Pacers bounced back from their previous loss with a dominant 136-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 28 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in just 28 minutes. Andrew Nembhard continued his solid play with 15 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, though I’m not convinced he’s a must-roster player in standard leagues.
The Golden State Warriors are becoming increasingly difficult to figure out. With Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green sidelined, Steve Kerr’s rotations were unpredictable. Trayce Jackson-Davis saw only 14 minutes, making it hard to justify holding onto in most formats. The flavour of the month seems to be Brandin Podziemski, who put up 17 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 28 minutes.
Injury Updates Shake Up Rotations
Several teams are dealing with significant injuries that are impacting their rotations. The Atlanta Hawks will be without Trae Young for their upcoming game, while De’Andre Hunter is questionable. This could open up opportunities for players like Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic to see increased usage.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Rockets podcasts.
Amen Thompson GAME-WINNER & Dillon Brooks TEN THREES Gives Houston Rockets The Win Vs Boston Celtics Can the Rockets make a deep playoff run after their stunning victory over the Boston Celtics? With Amen Thompson’s career-high performance and game-winning shot, the Rockets are turning heads in the NBA.
Amen Thompson MONSTER Triple-Double & Alperen Sengun DOMINATES Inside As Rockets Beat Cavs AGAIN Is the Rockets second win this week against the Cavs enough to gain the respect they deserve? With standout performances from Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, the Rockets are making waves in the league.
Alperen Sengun Hits CLUTCH Shots & Darius Garland CHOKES As Houston Rockets Win Ugly Vs Cavaliers How the Rockets survived an utter choke-fest in a thrilling victory over the Cavs with key missed free throws from Darius Garland, Fred VanVleet’s clutch performance, and Alperen Sengun’s decisive free throws, showcasing resilience and skill in a nail-biting finish.
