By Adrian Stewart Co

Houston Rockets bucked the absence of James Harden to record a 102-94 victory over Sacramento Kings in the 2020-2021 NBA Season on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

John Wall spearheaded the attack with 28 points, while Eric Gordon took over the starting slot of Harden to end up with 21 markers as the Rockets climbed to 2-2 win-loss slate in the Western Conference.

Christian Wood tallied double-double 20 points and 15 rebounds as Sterling Brown came off the bench to supply 11 markers for the Rockets.

From a 64-all score at the half, the Rockets started the third quarter strong with triples from Gordon and inside penetrations by Wall for an 83-76 advantage before the Kings rallied to within 81-83.

Houston created separation anew with triples from Gordon and David Nwaba for a 96-83 lead. Sacramento made its last push at 91-98 before Wood and Gordon scored back-to-back to seal the win.

De’Aarox Fox top-scored with 23 points, while Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield added 19 and 17 markers, respectively, as the Kings slumped to 3-3 win-loss slate.

Phoenix Suns, meanwhile, surged to solo first place in the Western Conference standings with a 106-103 win over Denver Nuggets (1-4). Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton led the Suns with 22 each.

Washington Wizards, playing without Russell Westbrook, also barged into the win column after six games with a 130-109 rout of Minnesota Timberwolves (2-3). Bradley Beal tallied 31 for the Wiz.

BOX SCORE:

HOUSTON 102 — Wall 28, Gordon 21, Wood 20, Brown 11, Tucker 5, House 5, Nwaba 5, Tate 5, Cousins 2.

SACRAMENTO 94 — Fox 23, Barnes 19, Hield 17, Bagley 12, Holmes 11, Joseph 6, Robinson 5, Bjelica 1, Guy 0.

Quarterscores: 36-36, 64-64, 83-81, 102-94./ASC, WDJ