The Houston Rockets didn’t let one bad night turn into two. Less than 24 hours after a disappointing home loss to the Spurs, they bounced back in a big way, taking care of business on the road with a convincing 104-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Now sitting at 29-17, the Rockets remain locked into the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. And while the Hawks (24-26) continue to jockey for position in the East, Thursday night belonged to Houston-and more specifically, to Kevin Durant.
The veteran forward put on a clinic, dropping a game-high 31 points in 34 minutes. He shot an efficient 12-of-22 from the field (54.5%) and hit three of his eight attempts from deep.
It wasn’t just the numbers-it was the timing. Durant steadied the ship early when the offense was sputtering and then put the game out of reach late.
“We fought through the mud a little bit in the first half,” Durant said postgame. And he’s not wrong.
The Rockets didn’t come out firing, but they stayed patient, leaned on their defense, and let their star lead the way. That’s now three straight wins on the second night of a back-to-back in January for Houston-after going winless in those situations in December.
That’s growth.
But Durant didn’t do it alone. Jabari Smith Jr. continues to show why he’s such a valuable two-way piece for this team.
He finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and filled up the defensive box score with 5 blocks and 3 steals. His presence on both ends was felt, especially when the Rockets needed to clamp down late in the third quarter.
Reed Sheppard gave them a nice boost off the bench with 13 points and 4 assists, knocking down three triples on seven attempts. He’s proving to be a reliable secondary playmaker who can stretch the floor-a crucial piece in Houston’s rotation.
Josh Okogie brought his usual energy and physicality, recording a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, including 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Every contender needs that glue guy who can swing a game without needing a ton of touches. Okogie fits that mold.
Alperen Sengun had a rough night shooting the ball-just 3-of-14 from the field-but his impact was still felt elsewhere. He pulled down 13 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and added 3 blocks.
Even when his shot isn’t falling, Sengun finds ways to contribute. That’s the sign of a maturing player.
And then there’s Clint Capela, who’s stepped into a larger role with Steven Adams sidelined for the season. The veteran big man made the most of his 18 minutes, going a perfect 4-of-4 from the field for 10 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and finishing with a +17 on the night. “Next man up mentality,” Capela said afterward-a simple phrase, but one that’s defining this Rockets squad right now.
On the other side, CJ McCollum did his best to keep Atlanta in it. He finished with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting, including five made threes. But the Hawks were short-handed, missing key contributors like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, and never quite found their rhythm offensively.
Houston was also missing a couple of rotation staples-Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith sat out for rest-but their depth stepped up. That’s becoming a theme for this team. Whether it’s a back-to-back, injuries, or just an off night from a key player, the Rockets are finding ways to win.
Next up? A Lone Star showdown.
Dallas comes to town Saturday night, and while the Mavericks have struggled this season, in-state rivalries always bring an extra layer of intensity. If Houston can carry this momentum into the weekend, they’ll be in good shape heading into a crucial stretch of the season.
One thing’s for sure: this team is learning how to win in different ways-and that’s a dangerous sign for the rest of the West.