Dec. 18, 2025, 11:12 p.m. CT

Three days after a frustrating and conversial loss at Denver, the Houston Rockets made matters worse with Thursday’s 133-128 overtime loss (box score) at New Orleans.

Despite their lowly record, the Pelicans (6-22) overcame a 25-point deficit in the second half. Forwards Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey scored 27 and 29 points, respectively, while combining to make 20-of-31 shots (64.5% FG) and 5-of-7 from 3-point range (71.4%).

The Rockets (16-8) gave up 74 points in the second half and 14 in overtime. Defensively, a Houston squad that was once No. 2 in the NBA on defense is No. 16 in December — a month in which they are now 3-4 as a team.

“Embarrasing defensive effort,” head coach Ime Udoka said of Houston’s second-half showing.

Offensively, the Rockets did have a few standouts, though the lack of defense made it inconsequential to the final result. Statistical leaders included:

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Kevin Durant: 32 points, 7 rebounds, 6 turnovers, 4 blocks; 12-of-15 shooting (80.0%), 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%)Alperen Sengun: 28 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks; 11-of-26 shooting (42.3%), 6-of-10 on free throws (60.0%)Amen Thompson: 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers; 11-of-14 shooting (78.6%)Reed Sheppard: 11 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds; 4-of-12 shooting (33.3%), 3-of-10 on 3-pointers (30.0%)

Herbert Jones had a career-high 8 steals for the Pelicans, who forced the Rockets into 18 turnovers while committing only 12, themselves.

“We just relaxed, got too cool thinking we’re there already,” Durant said postgame. “We got to to play 48 minutes.”

“Guys looked intimidated, scared, whatever, out of double teams (trying) to make plays,” Udoka said. “Teams are going to do that with Kevin and Alperen and make others beat us, and we couldn’t execute tonight.”

Next up for the Rockets is Saturday’s highly anticipated rematch against the Nuggets (19-6). Tipoff is at 4:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network (SCHN) and nationally via NBA League Pass.

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