In a thrilling showdown in Memphis, Kevin Durant showcased his leadership and scoring prowess, pouring in 25 points and spearheading a decisive fourth-quarter surge that propelled the Houston Rockets to a 119-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Durant wasn’t just scoring; he was dishing out assists too, with 10 to his name, orchestrating the Rockets’ offense with precision.
Jabari Smith Jr. was a force on the boards, grabbing 16 rebounds while adding 21 points to the mix. Amen Thompson contributed significantly as well, dropping 18 points, helping Houston snap a two-game losing streak.
On the Grizzlies’ side, Olivier-Maxence Prosper had a night to remember, hitting a career-high 31 points and pulling down seven rebounds. GG Jackson and Javon Small chipped in with 14 points each, but Memphis couldn’t halt their slide, now having lost five straight and 13 of their last 14 games.
The game turned when Durant re-entered with the Rockets clinging to a narrow 96-93 lead. His immediate impact came with a clutch three-pointer that ignited a 14-3 Rockets run, stretching their lead to 110-96 and putting the game out of reach for the Grizzlies.
The victory keeps the Rockets in a solid sixth place in the Western Conference, inching them closer to the fifth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. With this win, Houston is now just a game behind the idle Timberwolves and maintains a comfortable four-game cushion over the Phoenix Suns for the seventh spot.
For Memphis, the season's end can’t come soon enough as injuries have plagued their roster, with ten players sidelined against Houston. Their focus now shifts to enhancing their draft lottery position.
At halftime, the Rockets held a 56-49 advantage, with Reed Sheppard and Alperen Sengun each contributing 10 points. The Grizzlies kept it close, with Jackson and Small leading their charge with 12 points apiece. However, Houston managed to extend their lead to double digits in the third quarter, carrying an 87-82 lead into the final period.
Next up, the Rockets will wrap up their four-game road trip in New Orleans on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will look to rebound as they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.