In one of their most impressive wins of the 2025-26 season, the Rockets wrapped up a difficult road back-to-back with Friday’s 111-104 victory (box score) at Detroit.
Houston (27-16) and Detroit (32-11) remain at No. 4 in the Western and Eastern Conference standings, respectively.
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One night after committing eight turnovers in an overtime loss at Philadelphia — including a very harmful one in the final minute of regulation — Kevin Durant made amends and then some.
Playing 41 minutes despite the back-to-back, the future Hall of Famer finished with a game-high 32 points and 7 rebounds while making 11-of-19 shots (57.9%) and 5-of-11 from 3-point range.
“We just stayed poised,” said Durant, who is expected to earn his 16th career All-Star selection in the coming days.
“We’ve got a great coaching staff,” added Durant, who — at 37 years old — ranks third in the NBA in minutes per game. “Great training staff. They keep me ready. They keep me engaged, mentally and physically.”
Other individual standouts included:
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Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
Alperen Sengun: 19 points, 5 assists, 5 turnovers, 1 rebound; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 7-of-10 on free throws (70.0%)
Amen Thompson: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 5-of-5 on free throws
Reed Sheppard: 18 points in 25 minutes; 6-of-15 shooting (40.0%), 5-of-5 on free throws
One night after shooting 12-of-24 on free throws (50.0%) in that loss to the 76ers, the Rockets went 24-of-30 (80.0%) in Detroit.
Thompson’s defense helped force Pistons star Cade Cunningham into a relatively inefficient night, as the All-Star guard finished with 12 points, 8 assists, and 6 turnovers while making 5-of-13 shots (38.5%) and missing all four of his 3-point attempts.
Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith, who are each recovering from ankle injuries, sat out for maintenance purposes on night two of the back-to-back. Steven Adams remains sidelined indefinitely with a severe ankle sprain.
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Next up for the Rockets is a return home to Toyota Center, where Houston is 15-3 this season. A two-game homestand begins Monday night versus Memphis, with tipoff versus the Grizzlies (18-25) scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central.
The game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.
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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Kevin Durant praises Houston’s poise after statement win at Detroit