Fred VanVleet notched top figures with 22 points and nine assists, while Jalen Green contributed 19 points, including a crucial 3-point shot towards the end, in the Houston Rockets’ 112-104 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Securing their third consecutive victory on the road, the Rockets also clinched victory in all three matchups against the Kings this season. In a game where Domantas Sabonis stood out with 25 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks for the Kings, Malik Monk also shined with 20 points, 15 of which came in the final quarter. De’Aaron Fox added 18 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento.

The gap narrowed to 105-100 as De’Aaron Fox sank an 18-foot shot, but Jalen Green swiftly responded with a 3-pointer with 74 seconds remaining. Alperen Sengun (14 points) then fouled Sabonis with 39.1 seconds left. Sabonis capitalized on two free throws, bringing the score to 108-102, however, this was as close as the Kings would come.

Following the foul committed by Sengun, he seemed to sustain an injury to his right knee and had to be carried off the court in a wheelchair.

Houston expanded their 86-73 lead going into the fourth quarter to a 17-point difference before the Kings orchestrated a comeback rally spearheaded by Sabonis and Monk. Both players scored four points each in a 10-0 run, reducing the Rockets’ lead to 101-96 with 3:20 remaining. The Rockets finally broke their scoring drought of over four minutes with a short shot from Jabari Smith Jr. (10 points, 11 rebounds).

After cutting down the once 13-point deficit to single digits by halftime, the Rockets took command of the game with a formidable 21-3 surge in the third quarter. While Sengun shone inside the paint, Houston’s defense played a crucial role in fueling the comeback.

In the third quarter, the Rockets caused eight turnovers, capitalizing on 11 points from the Kings’ mistakes. Sacramento also struggled from the field, shooting just 4-for-16 throughout the period.

Sabonis exhibited dominance early on and was instrumental in the Kings’ 10-0 run that handed them a 14-7 lead. Sabonis narrowly missed a double-double in the first quarter, recording eight points and nine rebounds.

While Sacramento extended their lead from seven points at the start of the second quarter to 54-41, Houston faced a cold spell. However, the Kings were limited to a 59-54 lead at halftime.