Overview
- The Pelicans erased a 25-point second-half deficit to beat the Rockets 133-128 in overtime, matching New Orleans' largest comeback in franchise history.
- Saddiq Bey scored a season-high 29 points with 21 after halftime, Trey Murphy III added 27, and Jordan Poole hit late free throws to seal it.
- Kevin Durant led Houston with 32 points on 12-of-15 shooting and Alperen Sengun had 28, but Sengun missed two key free throws late in regulation and Reed Sheppard missed two open threes in OT.
- Houston allowed 74 points after halftime and was outscored 36-20 in the fourth, committed 18 turnovers, and drew sharp criticism from coach Ime Udoka for an 'embarrassing' defensive effort and poor execution against double-teams.
- The loss dropped the Rockets to 16-8 with their first back-to-back defeats since opening week, as they now visit Denver on Saturday with Tari Eason, Dorian Finney-Smith and Fred VanVleet ruled out while the Nuggets list Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun out and Peyton Watson questionable.