Tari Eason scored a season-high 26 points, powering the Houston Rockets to a 112-106 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in an away game. This win halted Houston’s two-game losing streak while extending Oklahoma City’s recent slump to two defeats.
Key Plays Drive Rockets to Victory in Final Minutes
The game saw the Rockets hold a four-point lead with 1:36 remaining after Eason converted a crucial tip-in. A pivotal moment followed as Reed Sheppard intercepted a pass intended for Alex Caruso by reaching around Chet Holmgren beneath the basket. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant contributed an important pullup jumper in the closing moments. Eason also secured two offensive rebounds in the last two minutes, helping Houston maintain its lead and close out the game.
Strong Performances from Sengun, Smith, and Durant
Alperen Sengun achieved a triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, improving on a recent shooting slump where he made just 35.2 percent over six games. Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 22 points, and Kevin Durant added 20 points despite taking a season-low 10 shots. Their combined efforts complemented Eason’s career-best scoring output.
Rockets Rally After Falling Behind Early
The Thunder built an early lead, outscoring Houston 21-6 in the second quarter’s first eight minutes to take a 49-34 advantage. Houston struggled mid-quarter from the field after starting hot with four consecutive three-pointers. However, the Rockets trimmed the deficit to six by halftime and almost erased it entirely as Eason’s 33-foot attempt narrowly missed at the buzzer. The Rockets tied the game early in the third quarter, sparked by a 24-11 run in the last 7:40, during which Oklahoma City failed to make a field goal.
Thunder Fight Back Despite Missing Key Player
Oklahoma City, playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the second straight game, stayed competitive in the fourth quarter. The Thunder’s Cason Wallace scored seven straight points to help tie the game, matched later by Isaiah Joe’s steal and reverse layup. Wallace finished with 23 points, while Joe contributed 21 points off the bench. The Thunder showed resilience despite the absence of Gilgeous-Alexander.
Notable Debut and Team Context
Rookie Jared McCain, who recently joined the Thunder via trade from Philadelphia, made his debut, scoring five points in nearly 14 minutes of play. The Rockets’ ability to stage a comeback without letting the Thunder extend their lead early proved crucial in this tightly contested matchup.
Implications for Both Teams Moving Forward
This victory gives the Houston Rockets renewed momentum as they seek to build on Tari Eason’s breakout performance and Alperen Sengun’s versatility. For the Thunder, the game highlights their ongoing challenges without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the necessity to find consistent contributors like Wallace and Joe to close tight contests.
tough Tari take 😤 pic.twitter.com/5OTIiZyi2t
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 7, 2026
