Houston routed Portland in Friday’s NBA Cup action, and Kevin Durant (+37) dropped an extremely efficient 30 points. The Rockets have now won eight of their last nine games.
HOUSTON — Led by a team-high 30 points from Kevin Durant, the Rockets cruised their way to a 140-116 victory (box score) in Friday’s Emirates NBA Cup 2025 matchup versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
Houston is now 8-3 on the 2025-26 season and 1-1 in NBA Cup group-stage play, while Portland is 6-6 and 1-1. The Rockets have now won eight of their last nine games, overall.
It was an extremely efficient night for the Rockets, who continue to rank No. 1 in the NBA on offense. Key statistics included:
Kevin Durant: 30 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; 12-of-19 shooting (63.2%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%); +37 in 36 minutesAlperen Sengun: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks; 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%), 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%)Jabari Smith Jr.: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%)Amen Thompson: 19 points, 4 assists, 0 turnovers; 6-of-17 shooting (35.3%), 0-of-4 on 3-pointers, +24 in 32 minutesJosh Okogie: 11 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds in 21 minutes; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%)Reed Sheppard: 13 points, 4 steals, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 0 turnovers; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%), +17 in 26 minutesSteven Adams: 5 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks; 2-of-4 shooting (50.0%), +22 in 18 minutes
Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 22 points (46.7% FG) and 10 rebounds, though Houston forced him into a game-high seven turnovers. Portland turned the ball over 20 times on the night, while the Rockets committed a season-low six turnovers.
Unfortunately, there was some bad injury news. After a first-half collision with Jrue Holiday, reserve forward Tari Eason suffered a right hip contusion and did not return. His status for future games is not yet clear.
In the finale of a three-game homestand, the Rockets return to action Sunday with a matchup against the Orlando Magic (7-6). Tipoff from Toyota Center is at 6:00 p.m. Central, and it will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.
Alperen Sengun was 4-6 from 3-point range tonight and is shooting a career high from beyond the arc.
I asked Sengun what has changed for him when it comes to his 3-point shooting.
“Workout all summer and test it on the national team. Ime give me that confidence Ergin Ataman… pic.twitter.com/Gnq1hjg6Nc
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 15, 2025
Kevin Durant had 30 on 63% shooting and it didn’t look like he was even trying.
I asked him if he took time to appreciate what he’s able to do at 37 and he gave a great answer citing some of his 35+ year old peers: pic.twitter.com/wXY9zCiMV4
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) November 15, 2025