Convenience Big Store: Wheels come off as Rockets suffer mile high mauling vs. Nuggets

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Today's starting lineup

The Rockets' roller-coaster week continued Wednesday. A night after bouncing back from an ugly loss, Houston took it on the chin in Denver for its most lopsided defeat of the season amid a hail of missed 3-pointers in the Mile High City.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning's headlines.

Greg Rajan, Weekend Sports Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Rockets / NBA

Nuggets defenders like Nikola Jokic (left) and Christian Braun were quick to pressure the Rockets' Kevin Durant during Houston's blowout loss Wednesday in Denver.

Photo by: AAron Ontiveroz, Denver Post Via Getty Images

Mile high mauling

A tight game went off the rails for the Rockets over the final 24 minutes in Denver as they suffered their most lopsided loss of the season.

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai (45) delivers during Spring Training at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Adding velocity

Tatsuya Imai already had looked good in spring training, but he made a small change on the rubber and was able to get his fastball all the way to 98.5 mph in three perfect innings Wednesday.

Playing the waiting game: Lots of Astros fans inside the West Palm Beach spring training facility get autographs and take pictures with players, but we talked to the fans who wait outside the park to grab their free souvenirs. Read More
Subscription required: At least two more Astros games in 2026 will require a streaming subscription to watch after Apple TV announced part of its Friday night schedule. Read More

World Baseball Classic

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Grazie, Italia

Italy's romp against Mexico ensured Team USA would reach the WBC quarterfinal round after the Americans' hopes were in peril entering Wednesday's game.

The Houston Texans offensive line breaks out of the huddle to line up for a play against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Three days in March

The Texans have made an effort to strengthen their offensive line in free agency over recent days. But it hasn't been easy.

Reed Blankenship: After four seasons in Philadelphia, the safety comes to the Texans with a reputation as a "ball hawk." Read More
Dominique Robinson: The new defensive end will likely compete to be a reserve for the Texans behind Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Read More
Braden Smith: The longtime Colt played right tackle for eight seasons in Indianapolis and has become a voice to help athletes deal with mental health. Read More
Logan Hall: The defensive end who played in college at UH was both an edge rusher and inside lineman in his four years with Tampa Bay. Read More
Kai Kroeger: The new punter played one season for New Orleans and will be replacing veteran Tommy Townsend. Read More
Foster Moreau: The new tight end is a cancer survivor who comes to Houston after seven years in the NFL with a history of being a strong blocker as well as a pass-catcher. Read More

College Basketball

Joseph Tugler and the Houston Cougars were right at home at Toyota Center against Florida State earlier this season.

Photo by: Tim Warner, Getty Images

Non-host with the most?

Houston lost its bid to remain as host of the NCAA South basketball regional at Toyota Center but the Cougars wouldn't mind playing there as a guest.

UH vs. BYU: Defending champion UH opens the Big 12 tournament tonight with an all-Cougars matchup against BYU. Read More
Ole Miss 76, Texas 66: The Longhorns had been on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament and may be out after a first-round loss to the Rebels in the SEC tournament. Read More