New York Knicks Drop Third Straight As Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant Dominate, 111-94
The New York Knicks faced off against the Houston Rockets in Texas for Coast to Coast Tuesday Night in the NBA on March 31, 2026, and the playoff feel was definitely in the Toyota Center. The Rockets were out for their third straight win, while the Knicks were looking to bounce back from a two-game skid. This matchup was easily a peek into what’s to come as we get closer and closer to the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
Rockets Punch the Knicks In the Mouth Early
The Rockets started with an early 12-1 lead three minutes into the first quarter by going on a 12-0 run behind 10 straight points from Kevin Durant, who finished the game with 27 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds in 35 minutes of play. Head Coach Mike Brown was forced to call a timeout as his Knicks started at a slow pace, missing all of their shot attempts.
Jalen Brunson (12 pts, 6 rebs, 8 ast) finally got the Knicks on the scoreboard with a little over eight minutes to go in the quarter, to which Alperen Sengun (13 pts, 5 rebs, 10 ast) responded with a three on the other end off an assist from Durant. The Rockets made it difficult for Karl-Anthony Towns to get the ball offensively, which caused most of the Knicks’ early offensive struggles.
Tari Eason regained his spot in the starting lineup and was an immediate presence on the offensive end for the Rockets. Both he and Durant had 10 points in the first quarter, each going 4-of-5 shooting from the field. Miles McBride returned to play after being questionable due to leaving and not returning in the Knicks’ previous game with the Oklahoma City Thunder, after being involved in a collision with Luguentz Dort. The Rockets finished the first quarter strong, leading the Knicks 37-21.
Jose Alvarado Brings a Spark the Knicks Needed
Jose Alvarado started the second quarter with a made three-point basket off an assist from Towns, helping the Knicks go on a 7-0 run, causing Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka to call a timeout. The Rockets missed their first seven shots of the second quarter, while the Knicks continued to eat into the deficit, making the score 39-33 with a little over eight minutes left.
Alvarado, who finished the game with 12 points and 2 assists, brought a spark to the court for the Knicks, shooting 3-of-3 from the field and helping them add to their second-quarter run, until Eason finally got them on the board for the quarter with a corner three-pointer, sending them on a 15-3 run. Eason had an all-around game, scoring 17 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing 3 assists, adding 2 steals, and a block.
The Rockets closed out the half completely in the driver’s seat with a 13-point lead, although the Knicks went on a 6-0 run with a corner three from OG Anunoby, his first of the night, making the score 63-50.
Rockets Hold On To a 20-Point Lead
The Knicks were able to cut the Rockets’ lead to 9 to open the third quarter behind strong play from Towns, who finished the game with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in 34 minutes of play. Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Anunoby weren’t able to make much of an impact as the Rockets continued to punch where it hurt. They combined for 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The Knicks managed to pull to within 12 points following a made three from Brunson, but the Rockets continued to keep the Knicks at bay, going on another 7-0 run midway through the third quarter. With under two minutes to go in the third, a Reed Sheppard steal turned into a three on the other end, putting the Rockets ahead 87-68. Sheppard finished the game with 20 points in 28 minutes of play, going 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
The Rockets keep the lead at 20 despite efforts from the Knicks to close the gap in the fourth quarter.
FAQ Section
Q: What was the final score?
A: 111-94
Q: Who was the MVP of the game?
A: Kevin Durant
Q: What was the turning point?
A: Houston’s early dominant start allowed them an early lead and the ability to control the game’s tempo throughout.
What’s Next For Each Team?
The Knicks (48-28) have one game left on their road trip, where they will travel to Memphis to face off against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. They have already officially clinched a spot in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, marking their fourth consecutive postseason appearance. As for the Rockets (46-29), they will stay at home for a back-to-back against the Milwaukee Bucks. They are currently in a critical home stretch as they fight to maintain their position in the Western Conference.
