D’Angelo Russell hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left, helping the Brooklyn Nets beat the Houston Rockets 99-97 on Tuesday night in New York, ending an 11-game home losing streak.
The Nets were down by four points with 9.5 seconds remaining after Dillon Brooks made one of two free throws. After Tosan Evbuomwan passed the ball cleanly to Keon Johnson, Johnson hit a 3-pointer over Jae’Sean Tate with 8.1 seconds left.
Evbuomwan then stole an inbounds pass from Amen Thompson meant for Brooks. He passed the ball to Russell, who hit a wide-open 3-pointer from the left side of the key.
After a timeout, Jalen Green missed a desperate 32-foot 3-pointer with just 0.4 seconds left, sealing the win for Brooklyn.
Russell’s clutch 3-pointer was the highlight of a rough shooting night for him, as he finished 3-of-15. This win gave the Nets their first home victory since December 4, when they beat the Indiana Pacers.
The game ended despite a strong push from Alperen Sengun, who nearly led the Rockets to a win. Sengun scored 11 points in the final 3:23, including two free throws with 18.4 seconds left. However, Johnson dunked with 10.6 seconds remaining to keep the Nets in front.
Johnson led the Nets with 22 points, marking their third straight win, tying a season-high. Evbuomwan and Nic Claxton each added 14 points for Brooklyn, who shot 46.3% from the field.
Sengun, back from a calf injury, put up 24 points and a season-high 20 rebounds, but the Rockets lost their fourth straight game. Brooks and rookie Reed Sheppard both scored 16 points for Houston, who shot 41% from the floor.
The game was close throughout, with 18 lead changes in the first half. Houston led 46-44 at halftime. Sengun gave the Rockets a 57-49 lead with about 7:30 left in the third, but the Nets went on a 14-0 run and outscored Houston 22-10 the rest of the quarter to lead 71-67.
Brooklyn’s lead was trimmed to 88-87 after a 3-pointer by Sheppard with 3:55 remaining. Sengun responded with a hook shot to put the Rockets ahead 89-88, then made a free throw to give Houston a five-point advantage.
