Kevin Durant scored 25 points and added 10 assists as the Houston Rockets rallied to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 119-109 on Friday at FedExForum. Houston snapped a two-game skid with the victory.
Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Amen Thompson contributed 18 points. Reed Sheppard and Alperen Sengun each added 10 points in the first half as Houston held a 56-49 lead at the break.
The Grizzlies stayed close through three quarters, with Olivier-Maxence Prosper leading all scorers with a career-high 31 points and seven rebounds. GG Jackson and Javon Small added 14 points apiece, keeping Memphis within striking distance.
Trailing 96-93 with just over seven minutes left, Durant returned and hit a three-pointer to spark a 14-3 run that pushed the Rockets’ lead to 110-96. Houston then maintained control through the final minutes, despite Memphis’ late attempts to close the gap.
Houston’s victory moves the Rockets to 44-29, keeping them in sixth place in the Western Conference and just a game behind fifth-place Minnesota. The win also extends their cushion over seventh-place Phoenix to four games.
Memphis dropped to 24-49, losing its fifth straight and 13th in the last 14 games. The team was hampered by injuries, with ten players on the sidelines against Houston.
Durant’s leadership in the fourth quarter was decisive, scoring key baskets while orchestrating Houston’s offense. Smith Jr.’s rebounding presence and Thompson’s scoring helped secure the win during critical stretches.
Memphis struggled to recover despite Prosper’s hot shooting. The Grizzlies managed only 44% from the field and were outpaced in key moments, particularly during Houston’s decisive fourth-quarter run.
Houston will finish its four-game road trip in New Orleans on Sunday, while Memphis returns home to face Chicago on Saturday. Both teams continue to navigate critical late-season scenarios, with the Rockets solidifying their playoff positioning and the Grizzlies aiming to preserve draft lottery positioning.
