Houston Rockets vs. LA Clippers - News - December 08, 2024 | FOX Sports

Kevin Porter Jr. - Drops season-high 19 in return Porter closed Sunday's 117-106 loss to the Rockets with 19 points (8-18 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, six assists and two steals in 37 minutes.

Impact Making his first start of the season in his return from a three-game absence due to an ankle sprain, Porter set a new season scoring high as he saw his biggest shot volume of the campaign. The fifth-year guard was getting the start with both James Harden (groin) and Terance Mann (finger) unavailable, and while Harden isn't expected to miss much time, it's not yet clear when he might get back on the court. Porter will have some short-term fantasy appeal as a result until Harden is cleared to return.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ivica Zubac - Double-double in Sunday's loss Zubac notched 21 points (9-15 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 37 minutes during Sunday's 117-106 loss to Houston.

Impact The veteran center continues to dominate the glass. Zubac has pulled down double-digit boards in 12 of the last 13 games, recording eight double-doubles over that stretch while averaging 13.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 62.6 percent from the floor. His 12.2 boards a game on the season puts him fourth in the NBA, behind only Nikola Jokic (13.6), Karl-Anthony Towns (13.2 ) and Domantas Sabonis (12.7).

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bones Hyland - Leads charge for Clippers again Hyland produced 22 points (7-13 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, four assists and one steal across 28 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 117-106 loss to the Rockets.

Impact The fourth-year guard led the Clippers in scoring for the second straight game, taking full advantage of the absence of Terance Mann (finger). Mann isn't expected back until after Christmas, while James Harden picked up a groin injury in Sunday's loss, so the door could be open for Hyland to see a big workload over the next week or two. He hadn't seen more than 12 minutes of court time in a game prior to Mann's injury, but over the last two contests Hyland's averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 threes, 3.5 boards and 3.0 assists in 25.5 minutes as a significant part of the second unit.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Alperen Sengün - Double-double against Clippers Sengun amassed 11 points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds and six assists over 36 minutes during Sunday's 117-106 victory over the Clippers.

Impact The double-double was his 16th of the season in 24 games, tying Sengun for sixth in the NBA with Anthony Davis in that category. Sengun hasn't gone more than two games in a row this season without pulling down double-digit boards, and his 10.6 rebounds a contest puts him 10th in the league. He's also added 18.5 points, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks a game.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jabari Smith Jr. - Double-double in Sunday's win Smith registered 13 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one block in 34 minutes during Sunday's 117-106 victory over the Clippers.

Impact The double-double was the fourth of the season for Smith, and he recorded at least one rejection and one made three for the seventh straight contest. The third-year big remains somewhat inconsistent, but over that seven-game stretch the 21-year-old is averaging 11.4 points, 8.3 boards, 2.3 threes, 2.1 blocks and 1.1 assists while shooting 42.1 percent (16-for-38) from beyond the arc but only 44.4 percent overall from the floor.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dillon Brooks - Pops for 19 in win Brooks supplied 19 points (7-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal in 38 minutes during Sunday's 117-106 win over the Clippers.

Impact The veteran wing delivered one of his best all-around performances of the season, recording at least five boards and five assists in the same game for the first time in 2024-25 while producing at least one steal and one block for the first time since Oct. 26. Brooks also drained multiple threes for the fourth straight game and the sixth time in the last eight contests, and over the latter stretch he's averaging 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 threes and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.9 percent (21-for-49) from long distance.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Amen Thompson - Hits for season-high 22 Thompson recorded 22 points (9-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 39 minutes during Sunday's 117-106 victory over the Clippers.

Impact Making his first start since Nov. 11 and just his second of the season, Thompson produced his best scoring performance of the season. While his offense remains a little inconsistent, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 Draft has found another level with his overall play since late November, particularly on the glass. Thompson has pulled down at least six boards in eight straight games, averaging 13.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks over that stretch while shooting 53.1 percent from the floor.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE