Kevin Porter Jr. Quietly Shined Amid Rockets' Five-Game Road Trip

The Houston Rockets’ five-game road trip ended in a heartbreaking loss to the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night.

The Rockets held a nine-point lead with 8 minutes and 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but the Nets outscored Houston 34-16 the rest of the way to take a 123-114 victory. 

Houston sustained their seventh consecutive loss while remaining winless amid their five-game road trip. But the play of Kevin Porter Jr. served as the primary factor in why the Rockets had a late lead. 

"We knew we had to bring it tonight and throw the first punch," Porter said. "That's what I tried to do as the point guard. We wanted to come out fast after what took place the last time we played this team.

Porter had one of his most impressive games by scoring a team-best 31 points on 11-for-22 shooting, nine rebounds and six assists inside Barclays Center. And his play warranted praise from coach Stephen Silas.

Outside of a horrific six-point performance Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Porter had an exceptional five games away from the Toyota Center, illustrating his progression as a point guard.

"I thought he was really good [against the Nets]," Silas said. "It got to the point I played him about 15 straight minutes. He was making plays for himself. He was making plays for his teammates."

Porter averaged 19.4 points on 47.3 percent shooting, 6.2 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals over the last five games. He posted his second-career triple-double during the Rockets' 130-125 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies on March 22 with 14 points (6-14 FG) 10 assists and 10 rebounds.

Porter credited his desires for winning as the primary factor for his play. And during the last five games of the season, the Rockets will follow in his steps in hopes of finishing the 2022-23 campaign on a favorable note.