Rockets suffer a double defeat at the hands of the Thunder! Durant goes 7-for-23, Shenjing records a double-double, and Alexander scores 20+ points for 112 consecutive games

On January 16th Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Rockets losing 91-111 at home to the Thunder, marking a season sweep by their opponent. The Thunder achieved a 5-game winning streak. Despite Alexander’s scoreless first quarter, he ended with 20 points, maintaining his streak of 112 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points, continuing to pursue Chamberlain’s record. The Thunder led by 7 points at halftime. The Rockets briefly took the lead in the second half but collapsed in the final quarter, ultimately suffering a heavy home defeat. Durant scored 19 points but shot only 7-for-23 from the field.

Statistics

Thunder: Alexander 20 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists; Holmgren 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 blocks; Dort 13 points, 3 rebounds; Jalen Williams 6 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists; Wiggins 5 points, 5 rebounds; Mitchell 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; Wallace 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals; Jerlin Williams 6 points; Caruso 5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals

Rockets: Durant 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals; Smith Jr. 17 points, 10 rebounds; Shenjing 14 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists; Amen 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists; Okogie 5 points, 5 rebounds; Adams 6 points, 11 rebounds; Davidson 5 points; Shepherd 7 points, 3 assists

Player of the Game

Alexander faced tight defense from the Rockets, but Holmgren stepped up with strong performances on both ends of the floor.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Dort scored on a mid-range shot, and Okogie hit a three-pointer. Holmgren was hot, scoring 10 consecutive points. Smith Jr. added 5 straight points, Shenjing scored inside, and Wiggins dunked. Durant made a mid-range jumper, Amen dunked, Caruso hit a three, Shepherd forced a steal, and Amen scored another dunk. Adams scored inside, and Ajayi Mitchell also made a three-pointer. After the first quarter, the Thunder led the Rockets 21-19. Alexander was 0-for-2 with no points, and Durant shot just 1-for-7.

In the second quarter, Holmgren hit a three, Mitchell scored on a mid-range jumper, Amen made a floater, and Adams scored with a hook shot. Mitchell kept scoring consecutively. Durant and Smith Jr. made mid-range shots, Shenjing scored on a put-back, and the Rockets went on an 8-0 run to tie the game. Joe hit a three, Alexander scored 5 straight points, breaking his scoring drought. Dort hit a three, and the Thunder responded with an 11-2 run. Durant scored on a mid-range shot, Dort hit another three. Amen dunked, Alexander scored another 5 points, and at halftime, the Thunder led 55-48.

By halftime, two Thunder players were in double figures: Holmgren with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks, and Alexander with 10 points and 3 assists. The Rockets also had two players in double digits: Amen with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, and Durant with 10 points, although he was only 3-for-13 shooting.

After the break, Durant scored on a mid-range jumper, Smith Jr. hit two consecutive three-pointers, Okogie dunked, and the Rockets went on a 10-2 run to take the lead. Dort scored 5 straight points, Durant completed a 2+1 play. Wiggins and Davidson exchanged three-pointers, Alexander scored on a layup, Amen made 1 of 2 free throws, and Shenjing scored with a hook shot. After three quarters, the Thunder led 77-75 over the Rockets.

In the final quarter, Holmgren dunked, Shepherd scored on a layup, Shenjing scored inside, Mitchell and Wallace hit consecutive three-pointers, and Kenway made a mid-range jumper, extending the Thunder’s lead to 11 points. Shenjing and Mitchell scored on layups. Durant made a mid-range jumper, Mitchell hit another three. Jerlin Williams scored 4 straight points, increasing the Thunder’s lead to 16. Udoka was unhappy about a no-call on the Thunder’s inbound play and received a technical foul. Alexander made consecutive free throws to reach 20 points for the game before being subbed out. The outcome was decided, and the Thunder won decisively over the Rockets.

Starting Lineups

Thunder: Alexander, Wiggins, Jalen Williams, Dort, Holmgren

Rockets: Amen, Okogie, Durant, Smith Jr., Shenjing