Houston Rockets 119, Oklahoma City Thunder 98 — The Houston Rockets controlled the paint and the glass on November 1, 2026, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-98 at home. Houston turned a tight first quarter into a comfortable win with a dominant second-quarter run, then kept Oklahoma City at bay with timely defense and balanced scoring.

Game overview

Oklahoma City opened with energy, getting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into the lane and Jalen Williams into rhythm early. The Thunder led 28-27 after one quarter, but Houston took over in the second. The Rockets outscored Oklahoma City 34-21 in the period, built a 61-49 halftime lead, and never let the Thunder get closer than eight in the second half. Houston’s bench extended the lead in the third, and the Rockets cruised through the fourth.

Key moments

The defining stretch came midway through the second quarter. Houston forced four Oklahoma City turnovers in five possessions and converted them into 10 quick points. Alperen Sengun capped the run with a post move and a transition assist, pushing the Rockets’ lead to 15. The Thunder tried to respond behind Gilgeous-Alexander, but Houston’s defense crowded his drives and forced contested mid-range shots. A late third-quarter push from Oklahoma City cut the deficit to 10, but Houston answered with an 11-2 run to seal the game.

Standout performers

• Alperen Sengun led Houston with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, dominating the interior.
• Jalen Green added 24 points, attacking in transition and hitting key threes in the third quarter.
• Amen Thompson contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and relentless defensive pressure.
• Fred VanVleet finished with 14 points and 10 assists, controlling tempo and limiting mistakes.
• For Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, while Jalen Williams added 20 and Chet Holmgren recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Tactical story

Houston won this game with rebounding and physicality. The Rockets grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, generated second-chance points, and made Oklahoma City pay for going small for long stretches. Defensively, Houston walled off the paint and forced the Thunder into a high volume of contested jumpers. Oklahoma City’s ball movement was solid at times, but Houston’s length and activity in passing lanes disrupted the Thunder’s rhythm.

Season impact

The victory is a meaningful early-season result for Houston against a Western Conference contender, showcasing the Rockets’ ability to win with defense and interior dominance. For Oklahoma City, the loss highlights the need for better half-court execution when drives are cut off. The head-to-head result gives Houston confidence and an early tiebreaker edge, while the Thunder will look to respond in their next outing.