Key Takeaways:
- Amen Thompson recorded 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists for Houston
- The Rockets secured a 115-113 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, dominating the boards 51-28
- Ivica Zubac matched a season-high with 33 points for the Clippers, who have now lost three consecutive games
Match Analysis
The Houston Rockets delivered a thrilling 115-113 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, clinched by Amen Thompson’s late-game heroics. Thompson’s decisive three-point play with 17.2 seconds remaining, following a tip-in on Alperen Sengun’s missed attempt, broke a 110-110 deadlock. Fouled by Kris Dunn, Thompson confidently converted the and-one free throw to edge Houston ahead. This critical moment stemmed from the Rockets’ relentless effort on the glass, as the putback came off their third offensive rebound in the possession and stood as their 21st of the evening.
Finished STRONG 💪#AllFire pic.twitter.com/AVcV16ZgiG
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 12, 2025
Rockets Dominate Rebounding and Display Resilience
Houston, now at 16-6 for the season, imposed their will on the boards, out-rebounding the Clippers by a commanding 51-28 margin and staving off what would have been their first back-to-back defeat since 24 October. The Rockets persisted in a tight contest despite the Clippers having two late opportunities to tie, but Los Angeles faltered as Kawhi Leonard was whistled for an offensive foul and Nicolas Batum committed a violation on an inbounds play in separate possessions.
Individual Performances and Statistical Leaders
Amen Thompson led a well-balanced Rockets effort by converting 8-of-12 shots, concluding with an impressive stat line of 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Alperen Sengun contributed a robust 22 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four steals to pace Houston, while Jabari Smith Jr registered 18 points. Kevin Durant managed 16 points, including 13 in the third quarter, overcoming a sluggish 1-of-7 start to hit his subsequent four field-goal attempts.
For the Clippers, Ivica Zubac was in imperious form, equalling his season high with 33 points while shooting 13-of-14 from the field and adding seven rebounds. Kawhi Leonard logged 24 points across a season-high 41 minutes, whereas James Harden totalled 22 points against his former side, for whom he played over eight seasons.
| Team | Points | Rebounds | Season Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 115 | 51 | 16-6 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 113 | 28 | 6-19 |
Form and Next Fixtures
With this victory, Houston arrests any risk of consecutive defeats for the first time since late October. The Clippers, now at 6-19, have endured their third straight defeat and eighth in their last nine outings.
Looking ahead, the Rockets are scheduled to travel to Denver for a match-up on Monday, while the Clippers will host Memphis on the same day.
