However, it was Kobe Brown who helped his squad get out to a strong start with 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, 2-for-2 from deep in the first half, before his teammates took over down the stretch.

Reed Sheppard scores 28 points, but the Rockets lose by three points to the Clippers.

But Houston wouldn't entrust Williams with a summer leadership role if they didn't think he had a chance of sticking around.