The Washington Wizards fell to the Houston Rockets, 135-119.
Defense was scarce in the opening frame, with the sides trading buckets left and right. Deni Avdija continued to get into the paint at will, as did his running mate Corey Kispert. On the other side, Jalen Green and Amen Thompson pushed the pace for some easy transition layups, propelling Houston to an early lead.
Houston figured out that Washington’s rim protection was nonexistent, mainly due to centers Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes missing another game. Jordan Poole poured in two threes and Kyle Kuzma dropped eight first-quarter points, but it was the Rockets that led after one quarter of play, 33-31.