NBA

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder

· National Basketball Association
10-10, 5-6 Away
Final
87 - 104

9-11, 2-7 Home

Williams scores 19; Thunder win rematch with Rockets 104-87

Darius Bazley had 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, Al Horford scored 17 points and Hamidou Diallo added 16 for the Thunder. Oklahoma City had allowed 147 and 136 points in its previous two games — both losses. On Wednesday, the Thunder allowed a season-low point total.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said his team had the right approach heading into the rematch.

“I give our guys credit not getting too emotional after that last game," he said. "No one likes losing by 30 and giving up 130. But I don’t think we got too low after that one, just like we won’t get too high after this one. But they really came in with a clean slate and wanted to learn.”

The Rockets scored a season high for points on Monday and a season low on Wednesday. Houston made a franchise record 28 3-pointers on 52 attempts on Monday, but connected on just 12 of 46 in the rematch.

Eric Gordon scored 22 points and Victor Oladipo added 19 for the Rockets, whose win streak ended at six games. Christian Wood, who entered the night averaging 23.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, finished with eight points and six rebounds in 22 minutes,

“When you’re not making shots, you’ve got to play a little bit harder on defense and figure out ways to create a little bit easier opportunities on offense,” Gordon said. “The energy just wasn’t there. We missed a ton of shots to where we just couldn’t really get in a groove.”

Rockets guard John Wall and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed Wednesday’s rematch. Wall, who averages 17.8 points and 5.8 assists, rested on the first half of a back-to-back with the Memphis Grizzlies on tap on Thursday. Gilgeous-Alexander, who leads the Thunder with 21.8 points and 6.3 assists, sat out with a left knee sprain. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said it wasn’t too serious and the team was being cautious.

The Rockets made 11 3-pointers in the first quarter on Monday, tying the NBA record for a quarter. On Wednesday, they trailed 54-43 at halftime, scoring a season low for points in a first half and making just 6 of 25 3s.

Houston made a brief surge early in the third quarter, but the Thunder fought it off. Diallo's breakaway two-handed dunk gave Oklahoma City a 68-52 lead, and the Thunder extended their advantage to 81-58 at the end of the third quarter.

TIP-INS

Rockets: Gordon was called for a technical in the second quarter. ... Coach Stephen Silas was called for a technical in the third quarter. ... F P.J. Tucker did not score in 25 minutes.

Thunder: Oklahoma City announced Tuesday that starting point guard George Hill would miss at least four weeks with a thumb injury. ... Thunder G Lu Dort left the game in the first quarter with left knee soreness and did not return. Daigneault did not have an update after the game. ... Held the Rockets to 38.4% shooting. ... F Isaiah Roby scored 13 points and made 6 of 9 shots.

QUOTABLE

STAT LINES

Oladipo, a former Thunder player, made just 8 of 24 shots, including 1 of 8 3-pointers. ... Thunder reserves scored 47 points to Houston's 32. ... Oklahoma City had 21 turnovers and Houston had 20.

UP NEXT

The Rockets visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

The Thunder host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CliffBruntAP.

Regular Season Series

Series tied 1-1

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 87 - 104
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 87 - 104
4th 12.5 Mason Jones makes free throw 2 of 2 87 - 104
4th 12.5 Rockets offensive team rebound 86 - 104
4th 12.5 Mason Jones misses free throw 1 of 2 86 - 104

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/hou.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originHOU https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/okc.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originOKC
33-86 FG 36-83
38 Field Goal % 43
12-46 3PT 10-33
26 Three Point % 30
9-13 FT 22-26
69 Free Throw % 85
49 Rebounds 59
5 Offensive Rebounds 5
36 Defensive Rebounds 46
21 Assists 19
11 Steals 13
4 Blocks 5
20 Turnovers 21
1 Team Turnovers 0
21 Total Turnovers 21
2 Technical Fouls 0
2 Total Technical Fouls 0
0 Flagrant Fouls 0
19 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 25
5 Fast Break Points 8
40 Points in Paint 46
18 Fouls 14
6 Largest Lead 30
Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Branden Carlson, C Out Feb 12
Jalen Williams, G Out Feb 12
Ajay Mitchell, G Out Feb 12
Isaiah Hartenstein, C Out Feb 12
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G Out Feb 4
Houston Rockets Houston Rockets Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Dorian Finney-Smith, F Out Feb 11
Steven Adams, C Out Jan 28
Fred VanVleet, G Out Sep 22

Game Information

Paycom Center

Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Capacity:

2025-26 Southwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
San Antonio 38 16 .704 - W6
Houston 33 20 .623 4.5 L1
Memphis 20 33 .377 17.5 L4
Dallas 19 34 .358 18.5 L8
New Orleans 15 41 .268 24 L1

2025-26 Northwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Oklahoma City 42 13 .764 - W2
Denver 35 20 .636 7 W1
Minnesota 34 22 .607 8.5 W2
Portland 26 29 .473 16 L1
Utah 18 37 .327 24 W2
Full Standings

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