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Green scores 22 of his 29 in 3rd quarter as Rockets down Wizards 135-112

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Green scores 22 of his 29 in 3rd quarter as Rockets down Wizards 135-112
Sport

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Green scores 22 of his 29 in 3rd quarter as Rockets down Wizards 135-112

2025-01-08 10:26 Last Updated At:10:42

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jalen Green scored 22 of his 29 points in the third quarter and the Houston Rockets routed the short-handed Washington Wizards 135-112 on Tuesday night.

Alperen Sengun added 26 points and 10 rebounds, Amen Thompson scored 20 points and grabbed 15 boards, and Fred VanVleet had 19 points as the Rockets improved to 6-1 on the road against Eastern Conference opponents.

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Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) reaches for the ball as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and guard Fred VanVleet (5) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) reaches for the ball as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and guard Fred VanVleet (5) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson dribbles the ball down the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson dribbles the ball down the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets forwards Jeff Green (32) and Amen Thompson (1) high five after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets forwards Jeff Green (32) and Amen Thompson (1) high five after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Jeff Green (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Jeff Green (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) goes up for a shot against Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) goes up for a shot against Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert gestures after scoring a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert gestures after scoring a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) goes up against Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) goes up against Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston overcame a 20-point first quarter — the fewest points allowed by last-place Washington in a period this season.

Corey Kispert scored 23 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 18 in the Wizards' third straight defeat.

Washington leading scorer Jordan Poole missed his second straight game with a bruised left hip, and fellow starter Kyle Kuzma exited at halftime with a bruised right calf.

Rockets: Thompson continues to blossom in his second season, posting another impressive double-double after scoring a season-high 23 points and grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds in Sunday's 119-115 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wizards: A marginally improved 4-10 stretch will be hard to sustain if Poole and Kuzma miss more time. Kuzma has played in only half of Washington's 34 games this season.

Houston put the game away with a 21-6 third-quarter run to extend its lead to 95-74. Green scored 11 points and sank three 3-pointers during that stretch,

Washington's 18 turnovers led to 35 Houston points, the most a Wizards opponent has scored directly from giveaways this season.

Washington visits Philadelphia Wednesday. The Rockets head to Memphis Thursday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) reaches for the ball as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and guard Fred VanVleet (5) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) reaches for the ball as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and guard Fred VanVleet (5) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson dribbles the ball down the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson dribbles the ball down the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets forwards Jeff Green (32) and Amen Thompson (1) high five after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets forwards Jeff Green (32) and Amen Thompson (1) high five after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Jeff Green (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Jeff Green (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) goes up for a shot against Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) goes up for a shot against Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert gestures after scoring a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert gestures after scoring a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) goes up against Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) goes up against Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

This photo gallery features some of the top photos of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in the past week by AP photographer Thibault Camus. Nasser Al-Attiyah regained the lead in the rally after blasting the first all-sand stage of the race in the Saudi desert on Friday. Five-time champion Al-Attiyah dominated the second half of the 331-kilometer stage between Hail and Riyadh.

Rider Ricky Brabec competes during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan.11, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Ricky Brabec competes during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan.11, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Luciano Benavides competes during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan.11, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Luciano Benavides competes during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Riyadh and Wadi Ad Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan.11, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Edouard Boulanger compete during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Edouard Boulanger compete during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Arnau Lledo competes during the third stage of the Dakar Rally with a start and finish in Alula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Arnau Lledo competes during the third stage of the Dakar Rally with a start and finish in Alula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz compete during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz compete during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Simon Vitse and co-driver Max Delfino compete during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Simon Vitse and co-driver Max Delfino compete during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Spectators attend to the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Spectators attend to the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Spectators watch driver Denis Krotov and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov competing during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Spectators watch driver Denis Krotov and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov competing during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Nani Roma changes a tire of his car at the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Nani Roma changes a tire of his car at the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Mattias Ekstrom and co-driver Emil Bergkvist compete during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Mattias Ekstrom and co-driver Emil Bergkvist compete during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Mechanic Filip Skrobanek eats after he stopped for a bivouac following the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Mechanic Filip Skrobanek eats after he stopped for a bivouac following the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Drivers and co-drivers pack up their tents before the start of the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Drivers and co-drivers pack up their tents before the start of the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Laia Sanz and co-driver Maurizio Gerini compete during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Laia Sanz and co-driver Maurizio Gerini compete during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Daniel Sanders drives beside camels during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Daniel Sanders drives beside camels during the second stage of the Dakar Rally between Yanbu and Alula, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Skyler Howes competes during the first stage of the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Skyler Howes competes during the first stage of the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Denis Krotov sits on a tire as co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, unseen, repairs their car after they stopped for a bivouac at the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Denis Krotov sits on a tire as co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, unseen, repairs their car after they stopped for a bivouac at the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz compete during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz compete during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally between Alula and Hail, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Luciano Benavides competes during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rider Luciano Benavides competes during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally between Hail and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli and co-driver Gonzalo Rinaldi compete during the third stage of the Dakar Rally with a start and finish in Alula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli and co-driver Gonzalo Rinaldi compete during the third stage of the Dakar Rally with a start and finish in Alula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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