On February 7, 2026, the Houston Rockets secured a thrilling 112-106 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcasing their resilience and depth. Tari Eason led the charge with a career-high 26 points, while Alperen Sengun delivered a triple-double, his 10th of the season, with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Kevin Durant added 20 points, even though he didn't seek his usual shot opportunities.
The Thunder, without their star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to an abdominal strain, faced a challenging task. They were already missing Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, further weakening their lineup. Jared McCain made his debut for the Thunder, entering the game late in the first quarter to a warm reception from the crowd. He finished with five points in 14 minutes.
The game saw a heated reaction from Oklahoma City fans, who booed Kevin Durant for his decision to leave the team 9 1/2 years prior. The fans cheered when Durant missed two free throws in the second quarter after being fouled. Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace led the Thunder's scoring, with Joe contributing 21 points.
Oklahoma City held a 52-46 lead at halftime, thanks to Chet Holmgren's double-double performance. However, Houston dominated the third quarter, taking an 80-74 lead into the final period. Durant's short jumper in the fourth quarter gave the Rockets a 107-101 lead, but the Thunder fought back to narrow the gap.
The Rockets' next challenge awaits as they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, while the Thunder will travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
