Overview
- The Thunder beat the Rockets 111-91 at Toyota Center on Jan. 15, pulling away with a dominant final period after leading by two entering the fourth.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 and Chet Holmgren added 18 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, with key 3s from Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell off the bench.
- Houston shot 33.7% from the field and 7-of-24 from deep despite a 60-44 edge on the glass, as Kevin Durant finished with 19 points on 7-of-23 shooting and 0-for-5 from three.
- Both teams managed injuries and absences: OKC was without Isaiah Hartenstein, Nikola Topić and Thomas Sorber, while Houston remained without Fred VanVleet and sat Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith with ankle issues.
- One night later, the Rockets beat the Timberwolves 110-105 behind Durant’s season-high 39 points and six 3-pointers, with Alperen Şengün posting 25 points and 14 rebounds as Minnesota played without Anthony Edwards.