Rockets lose to Utah Jazz; Harden leaves game with tight hamstring

Posted: October 24, 2018 -- 11:29 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets lost to the Utah Jazz 100-89 Wednesday night. More important than the Rockets' third loss in this young season is the status of James Harden's hamstring.

With 5:19 remaining in the fourth quarter, after speaking with members of the Rockets' training staff during the timeout, Harden walked to the locker room. After the game Rockets Head Coach Mike D'Antoni told the media Harden had been bothered by a tight hamstring.

"Earlier, he (Harden) felt a little tightness," D'Antoni said. "That's why I took him for a long period. Make sure he's okay; but, I think when he made that one drive I think he felt it again."

"He'll be reevaluated. It's a hamstring. But, I don't know what type. We'll find out tomorrow," D'Antoni said.

In the locker room, Harden said he'll find out what's wrong tomorrow; but, he said the hamstring issue is not serious nor is it similar to last year's hamstring injury which caused him to miss 7 games.

"Just being cautious," Harden commented to the media.

After allowing an average of 120 points per game in the first three games of this young season, the Rockets' defense limited the Jazz to 100 points on 43.6% from the floor.

Last season, Houston was 50-8 when holding opponents below 110 points and 28-2 when the opponents shot below 45.0%

However, the Rockets struggled to contain Utah's Donovan Mitchell in the game. Mitchell scored 38 points and handed out a career-high 7 assists. Mitchell made 14 of his 25 field goal attempts and also pulled down 5 rebounds.

"I thought the defense was a little bit better today," D'Antoni acknowledged. "That's where we have to get better. It was better; and, we can get a lot better.

"We held them to 100. We got to score more than that," D'Antoni commented.

The Rockets were 3-5 when scoring less than 100 points last season. Utah was 15-1 when holding opponents below 90 points last season.

Houston led 29-24 after the first quarter; however, the Rockets struggled to make shots in the second quarter.

Houston only made 8 of 21 field goal attempts in the third quarter and trailed Utah 75-66 after three quarters.

Harden scored 27 points through three quarters. Mitchell scored 28 through three.

Utah led 81-66 with 10:44 remaining in the fourth before Clint Capela scored 6 consecutive points and Carmelo Anthony sank a three point shot to bring the Rockets within 6 points (81-75) with 8:45 on the game clock.

Utah did not score on its next possession; and, on Houston's possession, Anthony missed a three-point shot; then, Mitchell swished a three to push Utah's lead to 84-75.

The Rockets scored four straight on a Harden 14-foot pull up jumper and a dunk by Clint Capela to get within five (84-79). However, Harden's hamstring tightened up on him and he took himself out of the game at the 5:19 mark after a timeout.

The Jazz scored 8 consecutive points over the next 2:30 to put the game away.

The Rockets fall to 0-2 at home this season. Houston lost two of its first three home games last season, but finished 34-7.

Eric Gordon missed his first 11 three-point shot attempts before finally making a three-point shot with 38.9 seconds left in the game. Overall, Gordon shot 5 for 21 from the floor.

"Yeah, shots were just not falling," Gordon said after the game. "I haven't hardly had a game like that in my career where I've missed that many. I had a lot of good looks, I'm going to look at them tomorrow and get prepared for the next game."

The Rockets were without Chris Paul (serving second game of two-game suspension), James Ennis III (straight right hamstring) and Nenê (strained right calf).

"We took a huge step forward, still shorthanded; but, we fought and that was important," Harden said with confidence. "We left a couple of offensive rebounds and we made some mistakes defensively but overall I think we did a pretty good job of competing."

Harden is not concerned about the Rockets' 1 and 3 start.

"Obviously, we have a long way to go; and, it's going to take time," Harden said. "Obviously this is only game four, but it's a process. Obviously, last year it was the same way. We kind of built up into being great and it's going to be the same this year."

Harden's health status will be determined Thursday. Houston hosts the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night at 7 p.m.

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