John Wall Outduels Russell Westbrook as Rockets Rout Wizards

Carmen Mandato/Associated Press

Playing against the franchise that helped make him an NBA star for the first time, John Wall and the Houston Rockets downed the Washington Wizards, 107-88, at Toyota Center on Tuesday night. 

It’s the first time the two teams have faced off since Houston acquired Wall for Russell Westbrook days before the 2020-21 season began. Wall went off for 24 points, while Westbrook tallied 19 in his return to Houston. 

The Rockets (7-9) have now won three straight games since since opening the season 4-9 and appear to be balancing out even though emerging star Christian Wood missed his third consecutive game with an ankle injury.

Washington (3-10) arrived in Houston missing a few notable players as well. Deni Avdija, David Bertans, Moritz Wagner, Ish Smith and Troy Brown Jr. were all ruled out against the Rockets. 

That placed even more pressure on both Wall and Westbrook to deliver for their respective clubs. Wall was up to the task. 

Notable Performers

John Wall, PG, Houston Rockets: 24 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds

DeMarcus Cousins, C, Houston Rockets: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, 4-for-8 3FG

Russell Westbrook, PG, Washington Wizards: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists

Bradley Beal, SG, Washington Wizards: 33 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists

What’s Next

The Rockets remain home to host the Portland Trail Blazers in a nationally televised matchup on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT. They’ll head out on a four-game road trip beginning on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans, who host the Wizards on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET. Washington returns home to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. 

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available. 

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