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For the first time in the NBA’s 2025-26 season, the Houston Rockets (49-29) have won six straight games. And their latest came at a good time.
With Sunday’s thrilling 117-116 victory (box score) at Golden State, Houston pulled to within a game of both Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers (both 50-28) for the No. 3 and No. 4 spots in the Western Conference standings. All three teams have four regular-season games left to play.
While the Rockets do not own the tiebreaker against either team, it does put the prospect of home-court advantage back on the table for Houston, which is 28-10 at home this season.
As for Sunday’s victory, Alperen Sengun had the game-winning layup with 11.1 seconds left off a pass from Kevin Durant, and Jabari Smith Jr. forced Warriors star Stephen Curry into a 3-point miss as time expired.
Smith was a dynamic two-way force, finishing with 23 points and 9 rebounds while making 9-of-12 shots (75.0%) and 5-of-7 from 3-point range (71.4%). The Rockets were +15 in Smith’s 32 minutes, best of any player on the floor.
“We felt with more energy and attention to detail in the second half,” head coach Ime Udoka said of the Rockets, whose have struggled to close out tight games this season.
“Some timely turnovers allowed them to get back in it, but I loved our composure down the stretch. They made a run, and we stayed with it.”
Other key statistics included:
With 30 assists, Houston extended its run of consecutive games with 30 or more assists to six straight games. That is tied for the second-longest such streak in franchise history, and the first in more than 40 years (March 1986).
Next up for the Rockets is Tuesday’s matchup at Phoenix, which will conclude the road portion of their 2025-26 regular season. Tipoff versus the Suns (43-35) is at 10:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised and streamed nationally via NBC and Peacock and regionally on Space City Home Network.
More: Rockets officially clinch spot in 2026 NBA playoffs
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Six straight! Jabari Smith Jr. excels (+15) as Rockets hold off Warriors
Continue reading...
With Sunday’s thrilling 117-116 victory (box score) at Golden State, Houston pulled to within a game of both Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers (both 50-28) for the No. 3 and No. 4 spots in the Western Conference standings. All three teams have four regular-season games left to play.
While the Rockets do not own the tiebreaker against either team, it does put the prospect of home-court advantage back on the table for Houston, which is 28-10 at home this season.
As for Sunday’s victory, Alperen Sengun had the game-winning layup with 11.1 seconds left off a pass from Kevin Durant, and Jabari Smith Jr. forced Warriors star Stephen Curry into a 3-point miss as time expired.
Smith was a dynamic two-way force, finishing with 23 points and 9 rebounds while making 9-of-12 shots (75.0%) and 5-of-7 from 3-point range (71.4%). The Rockets were +15 in Smith’s 32 minutes, best of any player on the floor.
“We felt with more energy and attention to detail in the second half,” head coach Ime Udoka said of the Rockets, whose have struggled to close out tight games this season.
“Some timely turnovers allowed them to get back in it, but I loved our composure down the stretch. They made a run, and we stayed with it.”
Other key statistics included:
- Kevin Durant: 31 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks; 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%)
- Alperen Sengun: 24 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks; 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%)
- Amen Thompson: 18 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds; 8-of-11 shooting (72.7%)
- Reed Sheppard: 11 points, 2 steals, 2 assists; 4-of-8 shooting, 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (both 50.0%)
- Steph Curry (Warriors): 29 points, 4 assists, +12 in 26 minutes; 11-of-21 shooting (52.4%), 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
With 30 assists, Houston extended its run of consecutive games with 30 or more assists to six straight games. That is tied for the second-longest such streak in franchise history, and the first in more than 40 years (March 1986).
Next up for the Rockets is Tuesday’s matchup at Phoenix, which will conclude the road portion of their 2025-26 regular season. Tipoff versus the Suns (43-35) is at 10:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised and streamed nationally via NBC and Peacock and regionally on Space City Home Network.
More: Rockets officially clinch spot in 2026 NBA playoffs
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Six straight! Jabari Smith Jr. excels (+15) as Rockets hold off Warriors
Continue reading...
