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4h ago

Kings Defeat Rockets 111-98 as Şengün Returns Early and DeRozan Hits 26,000 Points

Houston turns to a five-game homestand to stop the skid following a road-heavy stretch.

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Amen Thompson and the Rockets return to Toyota Center, where they've won six straight, to begin a five-game homestand starting Tuesday against the Bulls.
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, left, drives to the basket with Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday, right, defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
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Overview

  • Houston’s loss wrapped a three-game West Coast slide and dropped the Rockets to 22-14 and into seventh in the West.
  • Alperen Şengün returned just eight days after a right-ankle sprain and posted 19 points and nine rebounds, saying he wasn’t at 100% but wanted to play.
  • Tari Eason was ruled out with a right-ankle sprain; Ime Udoka called his status game to game after a reassuring MRI, and Aaron Holiday started in his place.
  • Amen Thompson led Houston with 31 points and 13 rebounds and Kevin Durant scored 23, but cold shooting and a late 17-3 Sacramento run decided the game.
  • DeMar DeRozan became the 23rd NBA player to reach 26,000 career points as the Kings snapped a seven-game skid, ‘lit the beam,’ and got a 9-point, 10-rebound boost from rookie Dylan Cardwell; the Rockets host the Bulls on Tuesday.