Rockets v Kings: Austin Rivers stars with career-best 41 points in Houston win, fans hail 'playoff ready' team
It might have looked like a high-scoring game, but it ended with the Houston Rockets registering a 129-112 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, August 9. Austin Rivers was the star of the game as she slammed in a career-best 41 points while James Harden chipped in with 32 that indicated a dominating performance. Rivers' feat also saw an astounding stat being unlocked: He joins James Harden as the only Rockets players with 40+ PTS, 70+ FG% in a game since 2012.
While all eyes pre-game were on Harden, Rivers stole the show and ensured the Rockets had more than on demolition man. Fans were over the moon and supremely confident the team was ready to take on higher challenges after the convincing victory. "Fantastic game by Austin. He's looking like the Rivers we knew on the Clippers. The coaches need to continue to get the most out of him. He's underperformed so far in Houston. But he's looked so good tonight I'll never doubt him in a lineup again," wrote one of the fans.
Fantastic game by Austin. He's looking like the Rivers we knew on the Clippers. The coaches need to continue to get the most out of him. He's underperformed so far in Houston. But he's looked so good tonight I'll never doubt him in a lineup again.
— Mathew Diekhake (@MathewHowto) August 10, 2020
One of the fans felt the Rockets were playoff-ready with this one.
So glad he’s a Rocket. Playoff ready! :the_horns:
— :sparkles:Be Someone:sparkles: (@Charla7) August 10, 2020
Some hoped this would be the start and that Rivers would continue to dish out some epic performances over the course of the season. "Austin rivers need more performances like that from you," a fan wrote.
With the kind of game he played, Rivers now joins Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Eric Gordon in that list that saw them earn 40+ points in a single season. While it may read well for the Rockets, the alarms and sirens are sure to have begun blaring for the other teams. For some, irrespective of the stats that came tumbling or comparing Rivers, it was all about the class and entertainment that was provided. "This is some entertainment man. Every game got a storyline," a fan opined.
This is some entertainment man. Every game got a storyline
— Stephen A. Smith Burner (@SASBurnerAcct) August 10, 2020
Here's one from Skip Bayless: "Who needs Russell Westbrook? Congrats, Austin Rivers for standing in for Russ with FORTY-ONE POINTS back in an Orlando arena in which Austin dominated in high school. Like father like son. Doc and Austin: good people."
Who needs Russell Westbrook? Congrats, Austin Rivers for standing in for Russ with FORTY-ONE POINTS back in an Orlando arena in which Austin dominated in high school. Like father like son. Doc and Austin: good people.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 10, 2020
The Rockets face the Spurs next on Tuesday, August 11.