Harden has 29, Westbrook has 28 in 126-123 win over Pelicans

Russell Westbrook said he’ll take some time to reflect on significance of his latest performance. After posting his second straight triple-double since joining Houston Rockets and 139th of his career, Westbrook passed Magic Johnson for second on all-time list, behind only Oscar Robertson’s 181. Westbrook had 28 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds and James Harden had 29 points to lead Rockets to a 126-123 win over New Orleans Pelicans.

“I kw wadays getting a triple-double seems rmal, but I take a lot of pride and a lot of energy and sacrifice and a lot of things I do off floor to get ready to compete and play at a high level,” Westbrook said. “For me, that’s a great accomplishment, especially growing up and never thinking I would be able to play in NBA. w, I’m able to be in history books. It’s a blessing, and I don’t take it for granted.”

Westbrook hit two clutch free throws to give Houston three-point lead with 6.1 seconds remaining. Josh Hart missed a 3 at buzzer and Houston held on. Houston worked through occasional chemistry issues, frequently turning ball over on errant passes. Westbrook and Harden combined for 12 turvers, with Harden leading game with eight. Harden was 2 of 18 from 3-point line after going 1 for 8 in season opener. He was 8-for-29 from field, but was 11 of 12 from free throw line. Harden shrugged off shooting woes.

“I’m going to take as many shots as y give me,” Harden said. “Tonight, y didn’t fall. But most important thing is, we’ve got to win. I think we locked in defensively when we needed to get stops. It’s slowly coming toger.”

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni also said he wasn’t alarmed by Harden’s rough shooting start to season.

“I don’t care who he’s playing against, what kind of scheme — eir he gets 50 or he doesn’t, and that’s depending on him,” D’Antoni said. “I’m expecting next game he’ll do it, and if t, game after.”

On Westbrook, D’Antoni complimented his poise and how thing fazes him, calling guard “relentless.” Similarly, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry called Westbrook Energizer Bunny for his unwavering energy. “ people that say, ‘How are y going to fit or how are y going to do?’ When you’re great players, you find a way to make it work, and y’re great players,” Gentry said. Rockets bounced back after a 117-111 season-opening loss to Milwaukee on Thursday night.

Brandon Ingram gave Houston’s defense fits, scoring 35 points while adding a game-high 15 rebounds. Lonzo Ball had 18 points on 4 of 9 shooting from 3. New Orleans is off to its first 0-3 start since 2016-2017 season.

“We’re a work in progress,” Gentry said. “I loved effort that we played with and thought we did a really good job. We put ourselves in a position to win against a really good team.”

Pelicans were without point guard Jrue Holiday, who is day-to-day with a left knee sprain. Hart started in Holiday’s place, scoring 23 points in 34 minutes. Pelicans are already without top draft pick Zion Williamson, who is expected to miss first six to eight weeks of season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair lateral meniscus in his right knee. For last play of third quarter, Westbrook found Austin Rivers for a corner 3 to cut New Orleans’ lead to 100-97 entering fourth quarter.

Rockets opened up final quarter on an 8-0 run, capped off by a thunderous two-handed dunk by Westbrook in transition to put Houston up 105-100. Rockets led 29-24 at end of first quarter, but Pelicans had a better second quarter and entered halftime tied at 61. In final play of first half, Harden was unable to cleanly get a 3 off at buzzer in a heavily defended shot attempt. After horn sounded, Harden slammed ball off court in frustration, only for it to come back hit him in mouth.

“It got my beard so it just protected me,” Harden said with a laugh.

TIP-INS

Pelicans: Hart received a technical foul shortly after hitting a 3-pointer midway through third quarter, possibly for taunting but it was unclear. ... Jahlil Okafor fouled out of game early in fourth quarter after playing less than 12 minutes in game.

Rockets: All Houston starters scored in double-figures, and Eric Gordon added 13 points off bench. ... Houston went 13 of 45 from 3 (28.9.

NBA/CHINA RELATIONSHIP

re was a pre-game demonstration outside of main entrance of Toyota Center by several dozen people holding signs and wearing shirts in support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.

Houston general manr Daryl Morey angered China with a since-deleted tweet in support of protesters earlier this month. Several protesters attended Thursday night’s season opener, but fewer were seen in attendance on Saturday night.

ASTROS SCORE UPDATES

Some of loudest cheers from relatively lightly attended Toyota Center crowd came when Rockets posted score updates and video highlights on videoboard from Houston Astros’ World Series Game 4, happening simultaneously in Washington. Rockets PA anuncer even accidentally called JJ Redick “Josh Reddick” on one 3-pointer to crowd before correcting himself. Reddick is an Astros outfielder.

UP NEXT

Pelicans: Host Golden State on Monday night.

Rockets: Host Oklahoma City on Monday night.