Danielle Lerner
@danielle-lerner.bsky.social
đ¤ 5113
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Houston Chronicle Rockets beat reporter. California transplant, but the cool kind.
[email protected]
This week is my last at the Houston Chronicle. After 4.5 years, Iâm taking a new journalism opportunity (more on that later) that keeps me in Houston. My last Rockets game is Sunday. Iâve covered NBA playoffs, Final Fours, World Series & the Olympics. But the people mean more than the eventsđ§ľ
about 21 hours ago
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Josh Okogie didnât think heâd be starting for the Rockets. Neither did Ime Udoka. An under-the-radar addition, Okogie emerges as an essential contributor for Houston:
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Josh Okogie emerges as key piece for Rockets after low-key arrival as free agent
Josh Okogie has exceeded preseason expectations and emerged as a vital early-season contributor for the Rockets.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/josh-okogie-playing-key-role-21150670.php
about 22 hours ago
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Kevin Durant posted this photo of Reed Sheppard on his Instagram story after Sheppardâs clutch defense and timely shot making helped the Rockets beat the Bucks
1 day ago
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Kevin Durant's offense and Reed Sheppard's defense powered the Rockets to a second-half comeback win against the Bucks, 122-115. After giving up 25 points off turnovers through three quarters, the Rockets outscored the Bucks 12-5 off turnovers in the fourth.
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Kevin Durant, Rockets rally to beat Bucks on the road
After making eight turnovers in loss to San Antonio, Kevin Durant scored 31 to help team bounce back against Milwaukee.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-milwaukee-bucks-giannis-sengun-stats-21148637.php
1 day ago
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Reed Sheppard has tied a career high with four steals
1 day ago
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END 3Q: Rockets 82, Bucks 85. Houston outscored Milwaukee 32-24 in the third quarter and is back in this after Kevin Durant scored 15 points in the quarter (5-of-8 FG, 4-of-6 FT).
1 day ago
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HALFTIME: Rockets 50, Bucks 61. Houston cut a 14-point deficit to four but turnovers allowed Milwaukee to expand lead. The Rockets gave up 21 points off turnovers in the half and didnât get a shot off on their last three possessions (TO, TO, jump ball + shot-clock violation).
1 day ago
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Turnovers continue to be an issue for the Rockets. Zone defense, too.
1 day ago
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END 1Q: Rockets 28, Bucks 30. Houston dominated the glass (16-6 overall, 6-2 OREB) and the paint (18-10) but Milwaukee shot 5-of-8 from deep and scored six points off turnovers.
1 day ago
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Giannis upgraded from probable to available and will start. Bucks starters: AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent Jr., Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner. Rockets starters: Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen ĹengĂźn.
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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The Rockets look to bounce back against Giannis and the Bucks on Sunday
The Rockets look to rebound from a loss to the Spurs when they visit the Bucks in Milwaukee for a Sunday matinee game.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-milwaukee-bucks-giannis-sengun-stats-21148637.php
2 days ago
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Flight issues prevented me from getting to Milwaukee, so Iâm covering from home today. Hereâs your pregame primer for Rockets-Bucks:
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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The Rockets look to bounce back against Giannis and the Bucks on Sunday
The Rockets look to rebound from a loss to the Spurs when they visit the Bucks in Milwaukee for a Sunday matinee game.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-milwaukee-bucks-giannis-sengun-stats-21148637.php
2 days ago
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After the Rockets were eliminated from the 2025 playoffs, Tari Eason said it was the toughest year of his life. Tari opened up about losing his father â the âheart and soulâ of his family â and the transformative summer that helped him grow from grief:
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Rockets forward Tari Eason lost his father but found himself
After his father's death last March, Tari Eason confronted his grief in offseason and learned to navigate adversity on his own.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/tari-eason-father-death-parents-houston-nba-21143433.php
2 days ago
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Rockets injury report for Sundayâs game as expected. VanVleet, Finney-Smith, Crawford and Harris out. Bucks list Giannis (left knee patellar tendinopathy) as probable. Kevin Porter Jr. (meniscus surgery), Taurean Prince (neck strain) and Alex Antetokounmpo (G League) are out.
3 days ago
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In todayâs travel adventuresâŚ
3 days ago
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Ime Udoka: Rockets got âpunkedâ in double-digit loss to Spurs that ended five-game winning streak
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Ime Udoka: Rockets got âpunkedâ in double-digit loss to Spurs
Rockets coach Ime Udoka says Spurs were 'tougher team' and 'punked us' after Houston doesn't play to its normal strengths in 121-110 loss.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-ime-udoka-loss-san-antonio-21147763.php
3 days ago
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The Rockets gave up a season-high 33 points off turnovers and had their five-game win streak snapped in a 121-110 loss to the Spurs:
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Rockets can't hold onto the ball and lose to Spurs as 5-game winning streak ends
Rockets give up a season-high 33 points off turnovers and San Antonio Spurs take advantage to end Houston's winning streak at 5 games.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-san-antonio-spurs-game-updates-odds-nba-21143566.php
3 days ago
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An official review determined that Thompsonâs swipe-down foul on Sochan was a flagrant foul 1 because Thompson made contact with Sochanâs face.
4 days ago
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HALFTIME: Rockets 50, Spurs 51. The Rockets once led by 11 points but the Spurs scored the last 12 points of the half. Houston gave up way too many points off of turnovers and offensive rebounds.
4 days ago
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And the Rockets' leading scorer midway through the second quarter is... Reed Sheppard, with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting
4 days ago
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END 1Q: Rockets 25, Spurs 23. Wemby is 1-for-3 with two points, two rebounds and three turnovers. Josh Okogie did a helluva job defending him to start, with Amen Thompson and Tari Eason chipping in as well.
4 days ago
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Ime Udoka furiously calls timeout with the Rockets trailing 21-16 after Keldon Johnson beat out Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr. for an offensive rebound and scored. The Rockets are being outscored 8-2 in second-chance points and Harrison Barnes is lighting them up from deep.
4 days ago
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Reminder that Rockets-Spurs tonight is an Amazon Prime game, not available on Space City Home Network
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Friday's Rockets-Spurs game won't be on usual TV carrier. How to watch it.
Friday is among five Rockets games this season that will be streaming exclusives. Here's how to watch it.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-san-antonio-spurs-how-to-watch-streaming-21140946.php
4 days ago
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As always, pregame updates and starting lineups here:
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Can Houston's win streak survive Wemby? Here's how to watch Rockets-Spurs.
Alperen ĹengĂźn and the Rockets will try to keep their win streak alive in a game against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Friday in San Antonio.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-san-antonio-spurs-game-updates-odds-nba-21143566.php
4 days ago
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Rockets coach Ime Udoka on next steps for Dorian Finney-Smith: âJust continue to ramp it up. He's getting non-contact work in, and got to see how the ankle responds to an increase in the load there. And so don't really have a timeline.â
4 days ago
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Steven Adams is available for the Rockets tonight in San Antonio. Houston will keep the same starting lineup of Thompson-Okogie-Durant-Smith-Sengun.
4 days ago
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NBA Cup court ready at Frost Bank Center
4 days ago
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The Rockets begin NBA Cup play tonight against the Spurs. Hereâs what you need to know âŹď¸
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Can Houston's win streak survive Wemby? Here's how to watch Rockets-Spurs.
Alperen ĹengĂźn and the Rockets will try to keep their win streak alive in a game against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Friday in San Antonio.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-san-antonio-spurs-game-updates-odds-nba-21143566.php
4 days ago
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Rockets center Steven Adams (left hip flexor tightness) is questionable again for Fridayâs game in San Antonio after he sat out last game in Memphis. Rest of the injury report is as expected: Fred VanVleet and Dorian Finney-Smith remain out (surgery recovery).
5 days ago
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www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
5 days ago
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Nugget from this story: The Rockets are 4-0 with the starting lineup of Thompson/Okogie/Durant/Smith/Sengun. In all four of those games, every starter scored double digit points.
add a skeleton here at some point
5 days ago
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Double trouble: Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun pace Houston Rockets past Memphis Grizzlies as winning streak hits five games
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Amen Thompson paces Rockets past Grizzlies as winning streak hits 5 games
Amen Thompson and Alperen ĹengĂźn both posted double-doubles as the Rockets got off to a fast start and cruised to a win in Memphis.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-memphis-grizzlies-updates-odds-stats-21138066.php
5 days ago
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HALFTIME: Rockets 60, Grizzlies 51. The Rockets are doing a phenomenal job finding Amen Thompson (18 points, 8-14 FG) in the dunker spot. Alperen ĹengĂźn has 10 points, 7 reb and 5 assists.
6 days ago
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Amen Thompson has 14 points in 16 minutes so far tonight after he scored 20 points in the first half last game. The Grizzlies are defending him with bigs and Thompson is exploiting that over and over.
6 days ago
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In the opening minute of the second quarter, Ime Udoka burned his coachâs challenge in an unsuccessful attempt to overturn a foul call on Capela, his second personal foul.
6 days ago
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With Steven Adams out, Clint Capela is the second sub off the bench for the Rockets and replaces Sengun.
6 days ago
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The Rockets are 5-of-8 from the field with all but one shot attempt coming in the paint, where theyâre outscoring the Grizzlies 8-2. Rockets lead 14-5 early and are imposing their physicality.
6 days ago
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Jock Landale came over and interrupted Jeff Greenâs pregame handshake ritual with the Rockets đ
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6 days ago
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Rockets starters: Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun Grizzlies starters: Ja Morant, Jaylen Wells, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale
6 days ago
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Steven Adams is out for the Rockets tonight, per Ime Udoka. Jabari Smith Jr. is available and will start alongside Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, and Alperen Sengun.
6 days ago
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Reed Sheppard and Garrett Jackson catching up with ex-Rocket Jock Landale, now on the Grizzlies
6 days ago
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đMemphis
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6 days ago
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Rockets at Grizzlies: Steven Adams and Jabari Smith Jr. questionable to play Any injury status updates will be posted in the story âŹď¸
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Rockets at Grizzlies: Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams questionable to play
Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams are questionable to play for the Rockets against Memphis, with Houston seeking its fifth consecutive win.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-memphis-grizzlies-updates-odds-stats-21138066.php
6 days ago
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The Rockets list Steven Adams (left hip flexor tightness) and Jabari Smith Jr. (right ankle sprain) as questionable to play in Memphis. Fred VanVleet (ACL recovery), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle surgery recovery), Isaiah Crawford (G League) and Kevon Harris (G League) are out.
7 days ago
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Okogie finished the game and moved well. I saw him in the locker room postgame and didn't see anything wrong. The Rockets will submit their injury report this afternoon but I don't expect him to be on it.
add a skeleton here at some point
7 days ago
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ICYMI: After the Rockets lost their first two games by a total of five points and won the next three by a total of 73, Kevin Durant said Mondayâs gritty win was a valuable experience.
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Amen Thompson, Alperen ĹengĂźn lead Rockets past Mavs for 4th straight win
The Rockets pulled away from the Mavericks in the closing minutes, with their young stars stepping up in crunch time.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-dallas-mavs-game-stats-odds-updates-21134014.php
7 days ago
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After 800th win, UH's Kelvin Sampson reflects on the path there. 'A fun journey full of potholes'
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/colle...
Story by
@joseph-duarte.bsky.social
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'A fun journey full of potholes': UH coach Kelvin Sampson reflects on 800 wins
UH's Kelvin Sampson on Monday became the 17th coach in NCAA Division I history with 800 wins, a journey spanning parts of five decades.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college/article/kelvin-sampson-800-wins-uh-21134128.php
7 days ago
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FYI for people flying out of IAH today, I just made it through Terminal A security (precheck) in less than 10 minutes. The regular and CLEAR lines were moving very quickly, too. Now I have four hours to kill.
7 days ago
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âI love the connection I have with Amen,â Alperen ĹengĂźn said. âI always know where he is. He always looking for me. I always looking for him.â More:
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
add a skeleton here at some point
7 days ago
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Alperen ĹengĂźn on how he and Kevin Durant overcame inefficient starts to help the Rockets gut out a win over the Mavs in crunch time: âNobody wants to lose and we are the leaders of this team now, so we just need to take over after some point."
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Amen Thompson, Alperen ĹengĂźn lead Rockets past Mavs for 4th straight win
The Rockets pulled away from the Mavericks in the closing minutes, with their young stars stepping up in crunch time.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-dallas-mavs-game-stats-odds-updates-21134014.php
7 days ago
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The Rockets hold off the Mavs to get their fourth straight win. âTo hold them to 102, and kind of have to grind it out, itâs a little more satisfying,â Ime Udoka said.
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...
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Amen Thompson, Alperen ĹengĂźn lead Rockets past Mavs for 4th straight win
The Rockets pulled away from the Mavericks in the closing minutes, with their young stars stepping up in crunch time.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/houston-vs-dallas-mavs-game-stats-odds-updates-21134014.php
7 days ago
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