Brooklyn Nets Edge Out Houston Rockets in Thrilling 99-97 Victory

On February 4, 2025, the Brooklyn Nets pulled off a dramatic 99-97 upset over the Houston Rockets at Barclays Center, snapping an 11-game home losing streak. The game, marked by a wild finish with late three-pointers from Keon Johnson and D’Angelo Russell, showcased resilience from a Nets team struggling with a 17-33 record against a stronger Rockets squad (32-18). Below is a detailed recap of the game, including player stats and key moments, sourced from verified data on NBA.com, ESPN, and Land of Basketball.

Match Information

• Sport: Basketball
• League: NBA (National Basketball Association)
• Match Type: Regular Season
• Date: February 4, 2025
• Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
• Matchup: Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets Match Player Stats
• Final Score: Brooklyn Nets 99 – Houston Rockets 97
• Winner: Brooklyn Nets
• Margin of Victory: 2 points
• Lead Changes: 21
• Ties: 8
• Brooklyn’s Home Losing Streak Ended: 11 games
• Previous Home Win: December 4, 2024

Game Overview

The matchup was a tightly contested battle, with 21 lead changes and 8 ties, reflecting the back-and-forth nature of the game. The Nets trailed 97-93 with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but clutch three-pointers by Johnson (with 8.1 seconds left) and Russell (with 3.4 seconds left) sealed the victory. Houston’s Jalen Green missed a deep three-pointer at the buzzer, securing Brooklyn’s first home win since December 4, 2024. The Nets’ efficient shooting and defensive plays in the final moments outshone Houston’s rebounding dominance.

Team Stats Comparison

• Final Score: Brooklyn Nets 99, Houston Rockets 97
• Field Goal %: Nets 46.3% (38/82), Rockets 41.0% (34/83)
• Three-Point %: Nets 37.0% (10/27), Rockets 34.4% (11/32)
• Free Throw %: Nets 76.5% (13/17), Rockets 66.7% (18/27)
• Rebounds: Nets 39 (10 offensive), Rockets 45 (16 offensive)
• Assists: Nets 26, Rockets 23
• Steals: Nets 10, Rockets 6
• Blocks: Nets 9, Rockets 6
• Turnovers: Nets 13, Rockets 16
• Points in the Paint: Nets 52, Rockets 40
• Fast Break Points: Nets 21, Rockets 5

Scoring by Quarter

• 1st Quarter: Rockets 23, Nets 22
• 2nd Quarter: Rockets 23, Nets 22
• 3rd Quarter: Nets 27, Rockets 21
• 4th Quarter: Nets 28, Rockets 30

Standout Performances

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets relied on a balanced attack and timely defensive stops, with Keon Johnson leading the way and bench players stepping up in critical moments.

• Keon Johnson: Paced the Nets with 22 points (7/16 FG, 3/6 3P, 5/6 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 29 minutes. His clutch three-pointer with 8.1 seconds left sparked the comeback, though he finished with a -3 plus-minus.
• Nicolas Claxton: Contributed 14 points (7/10 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes. Claxton’s presence in the paint was crucial, and he added a +6 plus-minus.
• Tosan Evbuomwan: Came off the bench for 14 points (7/11 FG), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 28 minutes. His hustle, including a key tip to Russell for the game-winning three, earned him a +7 plus-minus.
• D’Angelo Russell: Scored 10 points (3/15 FG, 2/7 3P, 2/3 FT), but his game-winning three-pointer with 3.4 seconds left was the defining moment. He added 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block in 26 minutes, despite a -7 plus-minus.
• Tyrese Martin: Provided a spark off the bench with 10 points (3/6 FG, 2/5 3P, 2/2 FT), 6 rebounds, and 1 assist in 20 minutes, finishing with a +10 plus-minus.
• Ziaire Williams: Added 8 points (2/5 FG, 2/4 3P, 2/2 FT), 7 rebounds, and 1 assist in 30 minutes, but struggled defensively with a -8 plus-minus.
• Day’Ron Sharpe: Recorded 8 points (3/4 FG, 2/2 FT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in 20 minutes, contributing to the Nets’ defensive intensity.

The Nets were without Cameron Thomas (strained left hamstring) and Noah Clowney (sprained left ankle), but their bench outscored Houston’s 38-37, with Evbuomwan, Martin, and Sharpe providing critical energy.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets, despite missing Fred VanVleet (right ankle injury) and Jabari Smith Jr. (fractured left hand), were powered by Alperen Sengun’s monster double-double but faltered in the clutch.

• Alperen Sengun: Dominated with 24 points (8/18 FG, 8/14 FT), 20 rebounds (7 offensive), and 4 assists in 35 minutes. His rebounding prowess gave Houston second-chance opportunities, reflected in his +8 plus-minus.
• Dillon Brooks: Scored 16 points (4/11 FG, 3/7 3P, 5/6 FT) with 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 37 minutes. His shooting efficiency dipped in the second half, and he finished with a -3 plus-minus.
• Reed Sheppard: Contributed 16 points (5/14 FG, 3/9 3P, 3/3 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes off the bench. His defensive plays and three-point shooting kept Houston competitive (+3 plus-minus).
• Jalen Green: Added 13 points (5/14 FG, 3/9 3P), 5 assists, and 3 rebounds in 33 minutes. His missed three at the buzzer sealed Houston’s fate, and he ended with a -1 plus-minus.
• Amen Thompson: Recorded 7 points (3/6 FG, 1/2 FT), 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in 40 minutes. Despite his all-around effort and +10 plus-minus, his 7 turnovers were costly.
• Cam Whitmore: Scored 12 points (5/11 FG, 2/5 3P) with 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 24 minutes off the bench, finishing with a -2 plus-minus.
• Jae’Sean Tate: Added 5 points (2/4 FG, 1/1 FT) and 2 rebounds in 16 minutes, but struggled defensively with a -16 plus-minus.

Houston’s offense was hampered by the absence of VanVleet and Smith Jr., and their 16 turnovers led to 25 points for the Nets, a key factor in the loss.

Key Moments

• First Quarter: The teams traded blows, with Houston leading 23-22 after Jalen Green’s 18-foot jumper and Steven Adams’ layup. The Nets stayed close with contributions from Claxton and Wilson.
• Second Quarter: Brooklyn tied the game at 25-25 with a Russell three-pointer, but Houston responded with a 21-18 edge behind Sengun’s rebounding. The score was 46-44 in Houston’s favor at halftime.
• Third Quarter: The Nets took control with a 14-0 run, fueled by Claxton and Martin, to lead 58-57. They extended the advantage to 71-67, capitalizing on Houston’s 33.3% shooting in the quarter.
• Fourth Quarter: Houston regained the lead at 89-88 with 3:23 left after a Sengun layup, but the Nets responded with a 16-4 run, capped by Johnson’s and Russell’s three-pointers in the final 8.1 seconds. Thompson’s errant inbounds pass and Evbuomwan’s tip to Russell set up the game-winner.

Analysis

The Nets’ victory was a testament to their resilience, as they overcame a 97-93 deficit in the final seconds. Their 46.3% field goal shooting and 37.0% from three outperformed Houston’s 41.0% and 34.4%, respectively. Brooklyn’s 9 blocks and 10 steals disrupted Houston’s rhythm, and their 25 points off turnovers were decisive. Keon Johnson’s emergence and Russell’s clutch shot highlighted the Nets’ ability to rely on role players, especially without Cameron Thomas.

Houston’s loss exposed their dependence on Sengun, who carried the load with 20 rebounds. The absence of VanVleet and Smith Jr. limited their offensive options, and Thompson’s turnovers in critical moments hurt their chances. Despite dominating the boards (45-39), the Rockets couldn’t convert enough second-chance points (16) to overcome Brooklyn’s defensive pressure. Posts on X noted Houston’s struggles in clutch situations, with some fans pointing to Thompson’s inbounds error as a turning point.

Conclusion

The Brooklyn Nets’ 99-97 win over the Houston Rockets on February 4, 2025, was a thrilling display of late-game heroics, with Keon Johnson and D’Angelo Russell delivering clutch three-pointers. Alperen Sengun’s dominant performance wasn’t enough for Houston, who fell short due to turnovers and a missed opportunity at the buzzer. The Nets’ victory marked a rare bright spot in their 17-33 season, while the Rockets (32-18) look to rebound on their ongoing road trip.