Udoka: Rockets beating 1st-place Thunder not a statement win

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka isn't placing any added significance on Sunday's win over the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I wouldn't say a statement (win)," Udoka told reporters postgame, including ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "It just shows growth on our part. ... Just we're building on last year - the mindset of who we want to be going forward."

With the game tied and less than a minute to go, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander snagged a clutch defensive rebound before Rockets guard Dillon Brooks grabbed the ball from behind, igniting a scuffle between the teams.

Brooks went on to win the ensuing jump ball that resulted from the play and hit Houston's game-winning two.

"Tough guy, won the jump ball, playing clutch for us," said Rockets center Alperen Sengun, per MacMahon. "That was great. That was sweet to see it."

Houston sits second in the West with a 15-6 record, but seven of its wins have been by a margin of eight points or less.

Udoka's defensive mentality can largely be credited for the club's tight contests, as the Rockets boast the NBA's second-best defensive rating this season at 104.1, according to Statmuse.

"Hard nose, no bullshit, and he's always telling us not to talk to the other team," Brooks said about Udoka's defensive personality, according to Rocket Fuel. "He's animated, as you can see on that sideline. ... We think on the fly with him, and we make plays."

Brooks finished Sunday with 16 points and held Gilgeous-Alexander to two points on 1-of-5 shooting in the fourth quarter. Fred VanVleet led all scorers with a season-high 38 points, three assists, and two rebounds.

The Rockets have won three in a row and return to action Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings.