Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Green's 33 Point and VanVleet's Late Steal Helps Rockets Edge Lakers
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 1 day ago on
January 6, 2025

Jalen Green scored 33 points and Fred VanVleet grabbed a key steal late to allow the Rockets to hold on for a 119-115 win over the Lakers on Sunday night. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

HOUSTON — Former San Joaquin Memorial High standout Jalen Green scored 33 points and Fred VanVleet grabbed a key steal late as the Houston Rockets held on for a 119-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

Amen Thompson added 23 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in his return after a two-game suspension to help Houston eke out the victory after leading by as many as 22.

A basket by LeBron James got the Lakers within 117-115 with eight seconds to go. Alperen Sengun missed 1 of 2 free throws after that to give Los Angeles a chance to tie it.

But VanVleet stole the inbounds pass intended for James. VanVleet made 1 of 2 free throws to secure the victory.

Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers. James added 21 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.

Up Next

The Lakers visit Dallas on Tuesday night and the Rockets visit Washington that night.

Lakers’ Late Rally Falls Short

Los Angeles used an 11-2 run, with six points from Davis, to get within two with 4 minutes to go. A dunk by Thompson started a 7-2 run that pushed Houston’s lead to 115-108 with 2 ½ minutes remaining.

The Rockets remained up by seven about a minute after that when a 3 by Davis cut the lead to 117-113 before the basket by James.

Thompson’s Strong Return

Thompson’s performance Sunday was a good sign for Houston. The second-year player is starting in place of Jabari Smith Jr., who could be out up to two months after breaking a bone in his hand Friday.

Key Moments and Stats

The steal by VanVleet that sealed the victory was the key moment of the game. The Rockets had 52 points in the paint to 40 by the Lakers, a key stat in their victory.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Trump Refuses to Rule Out Use of Military Force to Take Control of Greenland and the Panama Canal

DON'T MISS

Bredefeld Tries to ‘Shake up Good Ol’ Boys Club’ on Day One

DON'T MISS

Aubrey Plaza Responds to Husband Jeff Baena’s Death: ‘Unimaginable Tragedy’

DON'T MISS

Washington Post Lays Off 4% of Its Workforce

DON'T MISS

Peter Yarrow of Folk-Music Trio Peter, Paul and Mary Dies at 86

DON'T MISS

Raiders Fire Coach Antonio Pierce. Who Will They Hire Next?

DON'T MISS

Madera Authorities Warn About Fake Letters Circulating in Ranchos Community

DON'T MISS

Marjaree Mason Center Introduces New Crisis Response Manager

DON'T MISS

Fresno DUI Crash Kills 2, Police Name Suspect

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He Will Change the Name of the Gulf of Mexico

UP NEXT

Aubrey Plaza Responds to Husband Jeff Baena’s Death: ‘Unimaginable Tragedy’

UP NEXT

Washington Post Lays Off 4% of Its Workforce

UP NEXT

Peter Yarrow of Folk-Music Trio Peter, Paul and Mary Dies at 86

UP NEXT

Raiders Fire Coach Antonio Pierce. Who Will They Hire Next?

UP NEXT

Madera Authorities Warn About Fake Letters Circulating in Ranchos Community

UP NEXT

Marjaree Mason Center Introduces New Crisis Response Manager

UP NEXT

Fresno DUI Crash Kills 2, Police Name Suspect

UP NEXT

Trump Says He Will Change the Name of the Gulf of Mexico

UP NEXT

California Businesses Sue State Over New Workplace Law

UP NEXT

San Diego State University Frat Members Charged After Pledge Set on Fire at Party

Washington Post Lays Off 4% of Its Workforce

42 minutes ago

Peter Yarrow of Folk-Music Trio Peter, Paul and Mary Dies at 86

1 hour ago

Raiders Fire Coach Antonio Pierce. Who Will They Hire Next?

2 hours ago

Madera Authorities Warn About Fake Letters Circulating in Ranchos Community

2 hours ago

Marjaree Mason Center Introduces New Crisis Response Manager

2 hours ago

Fresno DUI Crash Kills 2, Police Name Suspect

3 hours ago

Trump Says He Will Change the Name of the Gulf of Mexico

3 hours ago

California Businesses Sue State Over New Workplace Law

3 hours ago

San Diego State University Frat Members Charged After Pledge Set on Fire at Party

4 hours ago

If CA Wants to Lead on AI, It Can’t Let 3 Companies Hog the Infrastructure

4 hours ago

Trump Refuses to Rule Out Use of Military Force to Take Control of Greenland and the Panama Canal

PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Pana...

55 seconds ago

55 seconds ago

Trump Refuses to Rule Out Use of Military Force to Take Control of Greenland and the Panama Canal

6 minutes ago

Bredefeld Tries to ‘Shake up Good Ol’ Boys Club’ on Day One

11 minutes ago

Aubrey Plaza Responds to Husband Jeff Baena’s Death: ‘Unimaginable Tragedy’

42 minutes ago

Washington Post Lays Off 4% of Its Workforce

1 hour ago

Peter Yarrow of Folk-Music Trio Peter, Paul and Mary Dies at 86

2 hours ago

Raiders Fire Coach Antonio Pierce. Who Will They Hire Next?

Madera County Sheriff’s Office is investigating fraudulent letters falsely claiming to be official warnings about gunfire fines. (Madera County SO)
2 hours ago

Madera Authorities Warn About Fake Letters Circulating in Ranchos Community

Tiffany Apodaca/Marjaree Mason Center
2 hours ago

Marjaree Mason Center Introduces New Crisis Response Manager

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend