The Houston Rockets found themselves in a nail-biting finish, and one man stepped up when it mattered most, YankeeSports reports.
Durant delivers when it counts
Kevin Durant silenced critics with a clutch 18-foot jumper in the dying seconds, lifting the Rockets to a 107-105 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Just two nights after matching his season-low of 11 points in Denver, Durant responded emphatically, scoring 32 points on 13-of-24 shooting, while adding six rebounds and five assists.
Speaking after the game, Durant admitted: “I just wanted to stay aggressive. My teammates trusted me, and I had to deliver.”
Rockets rise in the West
The win pushes Houston into third place in the fiercely competitive Western Conference. Amen Thompson contributed 23 points, Reed Sheppard added 18, and Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in with 16. The Rockets now begin a five-game homestand, starting with back-to-back clashes against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Pelicans rue missed chances
For New Orleans, Dejounte Murray was outstanding, pouring in 35 points on 14-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep. Yet, his costly misstep—stepping out of bounds with 13 seconds left while holding a one-point lead—proved decisive. Zion Williamson, who finished with 21 points, compounded the error by throwing the ball away on the next possession.
Pelicans coach Willie Green reflected: “We had our chances, but turnovers at the wrong time hurt us. Against a team like Houston, you can’t afford that.”
What’s next
The Pelicans will return home to host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, aiming to bounce back quickly. Meanwhile, the Rockets will welcome the Los Angeles Lakers for two consecutive home games on Monday and Wednesday, a stretch that could further shape the Western Conference standings.
