Overview
- Kevin Durant scored 30 and Alperen Şengün delivered 25 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists, with Jabari Smith Jr. adding 22 and Amen Thompson 19 as seven Rockets reached double figures, while Tari Eason exited with a right-hip contusion.
- Houston forced 20 turnovers and committed only six, converting the miscues into 30 points and controlling pace and shot volume.
- The result moved the Rockets to 8-3 overall and 1-1 in NBA Cup play, with the lopsided margin strengthening their tiebreaker position; Portland fell to 6-6 and 1-1 in the group.
- Portland played under interim coach Tiago Splitter after Chauncey Billups’ indictment and was without Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley.
- Following the defeat, the Trail Blazers held a players-only meeting to address cohesion and turnovers, framing the loss as a regrouping moment on their five-game trip.