Rockets Pull Away From Thunder in Fourth
Houston built a 110-86 lead over Oklahoma City late in the fourth quarter behind strong performances from Jabari Smith Jr. and Marcus Smart.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Basketball
The Houston Rockets led the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-86 midway through the fourth quarter. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points with nine rebounds and five assists, while Marcus Smart added 24 points on 7-10 shooting.
Why it matters
The win moves Houston to 6-1 while Oklahoma City is missing several key players to injury. The result gives the Rockets a notable early-season margin against a team that remains a fixture of the Western Conference.
Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 30 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Marcus Smart shot 3-3 from deep and 7-10 overall. Alperen Sengun posted 16 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds despite shooting 6 of 17 from the field, and the final margin was not confirmed in the extraction.
The players
Houston Rockets
The Houston-based NBA franchise that defeated Oklahoma City in this game and improved to 6-1 on the season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City-based NBA franchise that lost this game while missing several injured starters.
Jabari Smith Jr.
A Houston Rockets forward who led his team in scoring with 30 points in this game.
Marcus Smart
A veteran Houston Rockets guard who scored 24 points and made three three-pointers in this game.
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard who scored 26 points in the loss.
The details
Tari Eason drove in off the edge of the three-point zone and dunked over Aday Mara in the third quarter, then pointed to the crowd. Kevin Durant scored 14 points on 4-9 shooting, while Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams remained on the injury list for Oklahoma City.
Timeline
Tari Eason's dunk over Aday Mara came in the third quarter with less than three minutes remaining.
Houston extended its lead to 110-86 midway through the fourth quarter.
Season Trajectory
Houston's 6-1 start places it among the surprise early contenders in the Western Conference, while Oklahoma City's injury absences raise questions about its depth during a stretch of the season that will shape playoff positioning.
Rockets fantasy managers should note Jabari Smith Jr.'s 30-point, nine-rebound, five-assist line as a strong early-season performance. Oklahoma City's injury list affects rotation planning for anyone holding Thunder players on rosters this week.
The takeaway
Houston's balanced scoring from Smith, Smart and Sengun shows a team built to win without relying on a single star, which is worth watching as the season moves forward. Readers tracking the Western Conference should keep an eye on how the Rockets handle a deeper schedule.
Further reading
For more on the team, see Basketball coverage of the Houston Rockets' early-season run.
