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59m ago

Kings Spoil Şengün’s Return as Rockets Drop Third Straight in Fourth-Quarter Letdown

Houston begins a lengthy homestand after a road-heavy stretch exposed shooting woes, late-game lapses.

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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

  • The Kings beat the Rockets 111-98 in Sacramento, pulling away with a 33-22 fourth quarter for Houston’s third straight road loss.
  • Amen Thompson led Houston with 31 points and 13 rebounds, Kevin Durant scored 23, and Alperen Şengün returned from a right ankle sprain with 19 points and nine boards.
  • Tari Eason was out with a right ankle sprain, and Houston’s recent cold perimeter shooting continued in the loss.
  • DeMar DeRozan reached 26,000 career points during the win as Sacramento snapped a seven-game skid, with Malik Monk’s late threes and Russell Westbrook’s 15 points and 10 assists sealing it.
  • A brief on-court scuffle required security intervention, and after the game the Kings’ social media account mocked Houston as the Rockets headed home at 22-14 and in seventh in the West for a five-game homestand.