The NBA Cup delivered a night of high drama on Wednesday as the Houston Rockets ended their long losing streak against the Golden State Warriors with a narrow 91-90 victory, while the Atlanta Hawks rallied from behind to defeat the New York Knicks 108-100. Both teams secured their spots in the semi-finals of the in-season tournament, setting up thrilling matchups in Las Vegas this Saturday.
Rockets End 15-Game Skid Against Warriors
The Houston Rockets achieved a significant milestone, breaking their 15-game losing streak against the Golden State Warriors in a nail-biting encounter. The win was Houston’s first against the Warriors since February 2020 and underscored the Rockets’ resilience in high-pressure situations. Led by Alperen Şengün’s stellar performance of 26 points and 11 rebounds, the Rockets outlasted the Warriors to book a semi-final showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
First-Half Dominance by the Rockets
Houston came out of the gates with a clear plan to disrupt Golden State’s rhythm. The Rockets harried Stephen Curry and his teammates into 14 first-half turnovers, capitalizing on the Warriors’ mistakes to build a 44-37 lead by halftime. Şengün dominated the paint, while Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet added crucial contributions to keep the Rockets ahead.
Warriors Fight Back in the Second Half
Golden State adjusted their strategy in the second half, with Draymond Green anchoring a strong defensive effort. The Warriors’ momentum grew as Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga drained back-to-back three-pointers, giving Golden State an 89-82 lead with just under four minutes remaining.
The Warriors appeared to be in control, holding a six-point advantage with 1:16 left on the clock. However, Fred VanVleet sparked a late-game surge with a clutch three-pointer, cutting the deficit to three. The Rockets then tightened their defense, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on Golden State’s errors.
Game-Deciding Moments
The decisive sequence came in the final seconds. With the Warriors leading by one, Jalen Green dived for a loose ball, drawing a controversial foul on Kuminga. Green calmly sank the resulting free throws, putting the Rockets ahead with just 3.5 seconds remaining. Stephen Curry had a chance to win the game for the Warriors but missed a contested three-pointer, sealing Houston’s victory.
After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed frustration over the foul call. “Never seen a loose-ball foul on a jump-ball situation 80 feet from the basket with the game on the line,” Kerr said. “That is unconscionable… give them a timeout and let the players decide the game.”
Trae Young Sparks Hawks Comeback Against Knicks
At Madison Square Garden, the Atlanta Hawks overcame a 10-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the New York Knicks 108-100. Trae Young, often the villain in New York due to his playoff heroics against the Knicks in 2021, once again delivered a stellar performance, finishing with 22 points and 11 assists.
Hawks ELIMINATE KNICKS from the NBA Cup
Trae: 22 PTS, 11 AST, 5 REB
JJ: 21 PTS, 15 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Hunter: 21 PTS, 8-15 FG, 4-5 3PTThey take on Milwaukee in Vegas for the semifinals pic.twitter.com/Ci00kBk2qD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2024
Knicks Dominate Early
The Knicks controlled the first half, with Josh Hart leading the way with 21 points. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a monster double-double of 19 points and 19 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges added another 19 points. Their defensive intensity and sharp shooting kept Atlanta on the back foot, and the Knicks carried a comfortable lead into halftime.
Hawks Rally in the Second Half
The tide turned in the second half, with Young orchestrating a Hawks offense that came alive. He scored 12 points and handed out nine assists after the break, finding his teammates in key moments to dismantle New York’s defensive structure.
De’Andre Hunter was the primary beneficiary of Young’s playmaking, leading the Hawks with 24 points off the bench. His alley-oop dunk, assisted by Young, pushed Atlanta’s lead to 14 points late in the fourth quarter. Clint Capela added two back-to-back alley-oops in the final minutes, one assisted by Dyson Daniels and the other by Young, to seal the victory.
“It’s a big game, especially for us,” Young said. “We just try to play for each other and play till the end, and that’s what we did.”
Knicks Fall Short
Despite their strong start, the Knicks couldn’t respond when the Hawks turned up the pace in the second half. Towns fouled out in the closing minutes, leaving New York without their dominant interior presence. Bridges and Hart tried to rally the team, but Atlanta’s balanced attack proved too much to handle.
What’s Next in the NBA Cup
The semi-finals in Las Vegas promise two exciting matchups. The Houston Rockets will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Atlanta Hawks take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Both games will be played on Saturday, with the winners advancing to the NBA Cup final on Tuesday.
THE SEMIFINALS ARE SET
It’s all going down in Las Vegas… the #EmiratesNBACup Knockout Rounds continue with the Semifinals on Saturday on TNT and ABC! pic.twitter.com/eT7LxkYZ5R
— NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2024
Key Performances of the Night
- Alperen Şengün (Rockets): His 26 points and 11 rebounds showcased his dominance in the paint and leadership on the court.
- Jalen Green (Rockets): Delivered the game-winning free throws and contributed key defensive plays in crunch time.
- Trae Young (Hawks): Directed Atlanta’s offense with 22 points and 11 assists, taking control in the second half.
- De’Andre Hunter (Hawks): Top-scored for Atlanta with 24 points, including a pivotal alley-oop in the fourth quarter.
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks): Tallied 19 points and 19 rebounds, keeping New York competitive until fouling out.
- Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors): Scored 20 points and stepped up for Golden State during their second-half push.
The Rockets’ thrilling victory and the Hawks’ second-half surge are a testament to the intensity and unpredictability of the NBA Cup. With the competition heading to Las Vegas, fans can look forward to more electrifying action as the remaining teams battle for the coveted title.
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