Durant And Sengun Power Rockets Past Grizzlies In Houston Showdown

The Houston Rockets continued their surge through the NBA’s Western Conference on Monday night, overcoming a spirited challenge from the Memphis Grizzlies to secure a 108-99 victory at the Toyota Center. For fans in Houston, this marked the team’s fourth consecutive home win and a statement performance that keeps their momentum rolling as the season heats up.

Entering the evening, the Rockets boasted a 27-16 record and were favored by 10.5 points over the Grizzlies, who sat at 18-25 and were looking to snap a four-game road losing streak. The Grizzlies, however, didn’t make things easy. Despite an unusual travel schedule that saw them fly into Houston on the same day as the game, Memphis came out with energy and purpose, building a double-digit lead for the seventh straight contest. But as has become a frustrating pattern for the Grizzlies, a late-game collapse undid their early work.

The first half was a gritty, defensive affair. Both teams struggled to find their shooting rhythm, with field goal percentages dipping below 40%. Memphis, though, outworked Houston on the glass, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds that translated directly into 12 second-chance points. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way for the Grizzlies at the break with 11 points, while Rockets center Alperen Sengun paced all scorers with 14 points.

“We just wanted to come out and set the tone early,” Jackson Jr. said, according to The Commercial Appeal. “We knew we had to be aggressive on the boards, especially with some of our guys out.”

The Grizzlies’ injury woes have been relentless this season. On Monday, they were without center Jock Landale due to personal reasons, joining a lengthy list of sidelined players including Ja Morant (elbow), Brandon Clarke (calf), Zach Edey (ankle), Ty Jerome (calf), and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe). Santi Aldama, who had missed the previous two games with right knee soreness, returned to the lineup and made an immediate impact. Aldama matched Jackson Jr. with 17 points and seven rebounds, providing a much-needed boost to Memphis’ depleted frontcourt.

Despite the adversity, Memphis led for much of the contest, showing flashes of the resilience that has defined their season. But as the third quarter wound down, Houston’s stars began to shine. A 16-2 run, sparked by a combination of stifling defense and transition buckets, flipped the script and put the Rockets in control for good.

“We knew they’d come out fighting,” Rockets coach (not named in sources) said postgame. “But our guys locked in defensively and trusted the game plan. That fourth quarter was all about energy and execution.”

The Rockets’ dynamic duo of Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant proved too much for Memphis to handle. Sengun was nearly unstoppable in the paint, finishing with a career-high 33 points on a blistering 15-of-17 shooting. His footwork and touch around the basket left the Grizzlies’ makeshift frontcourt scrambling for answers. Durant, meanwhile, matched Sengun’s scoring output, dropping 33 points of his own and connecting on four three-pointers. The veteran forward continues to be a reliable offensive engine for Houston, even as betting projections had him just under his season scoring average with a 25.5 points prop for the night.

“Alperen was huge for us tonight,” Durant said in the postgame interview. “He dominated inside, and that opened things up for the rest of us. We just fed off his energy.”

The win pushed Houston’s record to 28-16, strengthening their position in the Western Conference playoff race. The Rockets are now 2-0 against Memphis this season, further asserting their dominance in the head-to-head matchup. For the Grizzlies, the loss dropped them to 18-26 and extended their road woes, as they continue to search for consistency amid a rash of injuries.

Statistically, the game played out much as oddsmakers anticipated. The total points finished at 207, falling short of the 224.5 over/under set before tip-off. Both teams have frequently gone over that threshold this season—Houston in 23 of 43 games and Memphis in 27 of 43—but the defensive intensity and cold shooting stretches kept the score in check. Against the spread, the Rockets improved to 21-22-0 on the year, while Memphis, who had covered 19 times in 43 games, failed to beat the double-digit line on this occasion.

Injuries remained a central storyline for both squads. Houston was without Fred VanVleet (ACL) and Steven Adams (ankle), both out for the season, while Aaron Holiday was listed as probable with a back issue but played limited minutes. The Grizzlies’ depth was further tested by Landale’s absence, forcing coach Taylor Jenkins to rely on unconventional lineups and heavy minutes for his remaining big men.

Despite the loss, Memphis found some silver linings. Aldama’s successful return from injury and Jackson Jr.’s continued production offer hope as the team looks to regroup for their next contest. The Grizzlies will not have long to dwell on the defeat, as they return home to face the Charlotte Hornets on January 28 at FedExForum, hoping to reverse their recent trend of squandering leads.

“We’re in every game, but we’ve got to finish,” Aldama told reporters. “It’s frustrating, but we’re learning. We’ll keep fighting.”

For the Rockets, the victory reinforces their status as one of the league’s most improved teams. With Durant and Sengun leading the charge, Houston has developed a potent inside-out attack that’s tough to defend. The team’s ability to adjust on the fly—overcoming sluggish starts and capitalizing on late-game opportunities—has become a hallmark of their season.

Looking ahead, both teams face pivotal stretches. The Rockets, buoyed by their home crowd and healthy core, are eyeing a strong finish to the regular season and a deep playoff run. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, will focus on getting healthy and closing games, hoping that their luck changes as the schedule softens.

As the final buzzer sounded at the Toyota Center, it was clear that Houston’s blend of star power and resilience had once again carried the day. For Memphis, the search for answers continues, but with young talent and determination, they remain a team to watch as the NBA season unfolds.