The Rockets defeated the Pelicans in Tuesday’s exhibition, and Jabari Smith Jr. was excellent with 26 points in 22 minutes. Houston was +23 in that time.
With defenders focused on the Rockets’ big three of Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, young forward Jabari Smith Jr. took advantage in Houston’s 130-128 road victory (box score) over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.
Tuesday’s game was played in Birmingham, Alabama, home of the Pelicans’ NBA G League affiliate (the Birmingham Squadron).
The Rockets are now 3-0 in preseason play, with one final exhibition looming Thursday night in Atlanta. The Pelicans are 2-1 in the preseason.
Entering his fourth season as a professional, Smith was the big story with 26 points and 5 rebounds while making 7-of-16 shots (43.8%) and 4-of-10 from 3-point range. The Rockets were a remarkable +23 in his 22 minutes.
Other statistics of note included:
Amen Thompson: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), 9-of-9 on free throwsKevin Durant: 15 points, 4 rebounds; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 3-of-4 on free throws (75.0%)Tari Eason: 20 points, 2 steals in 21 minutes; 9-of-15 shooting (60.0%)Alperen Sengun: 8 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 turnovers, 2 steals; 3-of-8 shooting (37.5%)Steven Adams: 2 points, 9 rebounds, +26 in 24 minutesReed Sheppard: 13 points, 2 assists, 4 turnovers in 19 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)Zion Williamson (Pelicans): 13 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%); -22 in 23 minutes
In contrast to earlier preseason games, head coach Ime Udoka went with a “double big” lineup featuring Sengun and Adams, and it flourished — as evidenced by Adams’ outstanding plus-minus total.
With the regular-season opener coming next Tuesday in Oklahoma City versus a Thunder squad that often starts Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, that could make a potential Sengun-Adams pairing even more enticing.
Factoring in previous exhibitions, regular-season games, and playoff games, Tuesday’s Pelicans-Rockets game was only the second time that Sengun and Adams had started together. The first was an April 4 victory over the Thunder near the end of last season.
As for the ongoing preseason, Tuesday’s complete highlights and postgame interviews are available below.
Ime Udoka wasn’t happy with the Rockets’ turnovers and lack of defensive recognition at times tonight but liked the double-big lineup.
“Good starts, just gotta sustain it. Still figuring that out, spacing and some things like that, but overall, they played well off each other.”
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) October 15, 2025
Ime Udoka said the Rockets will likely rest Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and some other regulars for Thursday’s preseason finale in Atlanta.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) October 15, 2025
Let’s take a look at the box score as the #Rockets beat New Orleans 130-128@HoustonRockets start the double big lineup
Alperen Sengun +17 🏀 Steven Adams +26
Jabari Smith Jr led all starters with 26 PTS
Tari Eason led the reserves with 20 PTS pic.twitter.com/4ScQ2hUNbq
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 15, 2025