HOUSTON Rockets held firm in the closing minutes to secure a 112-106 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025-26 NBA regular season on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) in Oklahoma City.
Tari Eason led the Rockets with 23 points, including five three-pointers, and added eight rebounds as the Rockets snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 32-19 record.
Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 22 points, Kevin Durant scored 20, with nine coming in the fourth quarter, while Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard chipped in 17 and 16 points, respectively.
After Oklahoma City moved ahead 94-93 on an Alex Caruso three-pointer, Durant answered with a triple before Sheppard and Eason scored on consecutive possessions to give Houston a 100-94 cushion.
The Thunder pulled within 103-101 on two free throws by Isaiah Joe, but clutch baskets from Durant and Eason helped the Rockets pull away for good.
Cason Wallace paced the defending Thunder with 23 points, Joe added 21, and Aaron Wiggins and Chet Holmgren scored 17 apiece as Oklahoma City fell to 40-13.
Both teams were shorthanded, with Amen Thompson sidelined by illness for Houston, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams missed the game for Oklahoma City due to injuries.
In Brooklyn, Michael Porter Jr. scored 23 points to power the Nets’ strong first-half surge in a 127-113 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Day’Ron Sharpe added 19 points, Noah Clowney had 18, and rookie Danny Wolf finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists for Brooklyn.
Will Riley led Washington with a career-high 27 points, while Justin Champagnie posted 21 points and nine rebounds in the loss./PN
