Rockets Survive Scare from Depleted Thunder Behind Eason’s Career Night 112-106
It wasn’t a masterpiece, but in the grueling marathon of an NBA season, style points don’t count in the standings.
On a night when the Oklahoma City Thunder were missing their MVP candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Houston Rockets walked into a trap game and narrowly escaped with a 112-106 victory. It required a frantic fourth-quarter effort, a triple-double from their center, and a season-high explosion from their bench to fend off a young, scrappy Thunder squad that simply wouldn’t go away.
While the headlines usually belong to the superstars, Saturday night in Oklahoma City belonged to the grit of the rotation. The Rockets moved to secure the win not just with finesse, but with sheer force of will, overcoming a sluggish first half to dominate the third quarter before holding on for dear life in the final minutes.
Tari Eason Provides the Spark the Rockets Needed
If you want to understand the DNA of this Rockets team, look no further than Tari Eason. On a night when the offense could have easily stagnated, Eason was the live wire that shocked Houston back to life. Coming off the bench, he delivered a season-high 26 points, but the scoring only tells half the story.
Eason was everywhere. He pulled down eight rebounds, swiped three steals, and seemed to be the first onto the floor for every loose ball. In the fourth quarter, when the Thunder cut the lead to a single possession, it was Eason making critical free throws and hitting tough jumpers to keep the Rockets afloat. His ability to impact the game without having plays called for him is becoming invaluable for Houston. He finished efficiently and aggressively, embodying the “next man up” mentality that separates playoff contenders from lottery teams.
Sengun Orchestrates a Masterclass
While Eason brought the energy, Alperen Sengun brought the order. The Turkish center continues to look like one of the league’s premier offensive hubs, tallying yet another triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.
What makes Sengun so dangerous for the Rockets is his patience. Even when the Thunder collapsed the paint, he found shooters like Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Durant in their sweet spots. His 11 assists were the glue that held the offense together, particularly in that pivotal third quarter where Houston outscored OKC to erase a six-point halftime deficit. When the game slowed down in the half-court, the offense ran through Sengun, and he delivered with surgical precision.
Durant and Smith Jr. Close the Door
Of course, having a luxury like Kevin Durant to turn to in crunch time is a cheat code. Durant finished with 20 points, but none were bigger than the short jumper he buried with just over a minute remaining. That shot pushed the Rockets’ lead to 107-101, effectively putting the game out of reach just as the home crowd was sensing an upset.
Durant’s gravity on the court also opened things up for Jabari Smith Jr., who quietly put together a stellar performance of his own. Smith Jr. notched a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, hitting key three-pointers that prevented the Thunder from packing the paint against Sengun. The synergy between the frontcourt trio of Sengun, Smith Jr., and Durant is clearly growing, giving the Rockets a versatility that is a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Weathering the Storm
Credit must be given to the Thunder. Without Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, or Ajay Mitchell, they had every excuse to fold. Instead, they punched the Rockets in the mouth early, taking a 52-46 lead into the break. Cason Wallace (23 points) and Isaiah Joe (21 points) stepped up admirably, turning the game into a shootout.
However, the Rockets showed their maturity in the second half. They tightened up their defensive rotations, forced 16 turnovers, and capitalized on the Thunder’s lack of depth. It was a professional win—the kind that good teams get out of the way before moving on to the next one.
For Houston, leaving OKC with a win was the only acceptable outcome. They got it done, thanks to their depth and their stars aligning when it mattered most.
