Rockets head coach Ime Udoka addressed his team’s difficulties in the fourth quarter after Houston fell 111-98 to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
“Tougher team, more physical. Was just fourth quarters all game. 31 second chance points and two rookie centers with, I think, five and eight offensive rebounds. Just tells the tale of the game,” Udoka said.
When asked whether Sunday’s fourth quarter was different from Friday’s performance, Udoka replied, “Soft and, you know, same.” He pointed to turnovers and poor defensive execution as the decisive factors. “Turnovers a big part of it. Didn’t get shots and then um you know, undisciplined on the ball, fouling shooters, giving up offensive rebounds, put back. So, that’s the game.”
Udoka also discussed the Rockets’ ongoing three-point struggles. “Looks like some lack of confidence. You’re getting open looks, but it’s more than that. It’s the effort, juice, energy, all that. Regardless, make or miss shots, it’s going to happen. You don’t play with the toughness or competitiveness that they play with, that’s what’s going to happen.”
When probed if the lack of effort was particularly noticeable against the Kings compared to previous games, Udoka said, “It’s a combination of both. We’re kind of going through the motions and then you have some, you know, attention to detail things that come to bite us with personnel who are helping off of uh closing out on non-shooters and not getting to shooters. So, it’s a combination of all the above.”
Udoka offered a brief assessment of Alperen Sengun, who finished with 19 points and nine rebounds. “Okay,” he said when asked how Sengun looked without a full return prep.
The Rockets struggled to contain Sacramento in the fourth quarter, allowing a decisive 10-2 run fueled by Malik Monk’s back-to-back three-pointers and Precious Achiuwa’s layup. Houston’s inability to stop second-chance points and control turnovers ultimately sealed the outcome.
Udoka emphasized that effort and physicality were the main contributors to the loss, noting that the Kings’ disciplined execution and toughness overcame Houston’s individual performances from Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant.
Up next, the Rockets will travel to Chicago on Tuesday night, aiming to rebound from a fourth-quarter collapse that cost them their fourth loss in five games.
