Kevin Durant scored 27 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 111-94 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night at Toyota Center.
Houston seized control early and never trailed, using a dominant first quarter to set the tone in a matchup between two playoff-positioned teams.
The victory marked the third straight win for the Rockets, who improved to 46-29 and continued their push in the Western Conference playoff race. New York fell to 48-28 and has now dropped three consecutive games after previously winning seven in a row.
Durant finished 10-for-18 from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers while adding six rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in 35 minutes.
Houston built separation immediately by scoring 37 points in the opening quarter. Durant and Tari Eason combined for 23 points in the period while hitting four shots from beyond the arc.
The Rockets maintained a double-digit lead for most of the night and entered the fourth quarter ahead by 20 points.
New York briefly cut the deficit in the third quarter when Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer that trimmed the margin to 12 with just over three minutes remaining in the period.
Houston quickly responded with a decisive run. Two Knicks turnovers fueled a 7-0 burst that pushed the advantage to 87-68 with about 90 seconds left in the quarter.
The Rockets led by 19 with roughly two minutes remaining in the game, prompting both teams to empty their benches.
Houston’s starting lineup provided balanced production, with all five starters scoring at least 13 points.
Amen Thompson added 17 points and eight assists while shooting 8-for-14 from the field. Tari Eason, who started in place of Reed Sheppard, contributed 17 points and eight rebounds.
Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in 15 points and six rebounds, and Alperen Sengun recorded 13 points with a team-high 10 assists.
Sheppard gave Houston a scoring boost off the bench with 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including four made 3-pointers.
The Rockets shot 54% from the field and 43% from three-point range while finishing with 35 assists on 42 made baskets.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 22 points and eight rebounds in 34 minutes. Josh Hart scored 13 points and Brunson added 12 points with eight assists, but New York shot just 42% overall and 29% from beyond the arc.
Jordan Clarkson provided a spark off the bench with 10 points, while Jose Alvarado added 12 on 5-for-6 shooting in limited minutes.
Houston will remain home to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, while New York continues its road trip against the Memphis Grizzlies.
