Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama
The Houston Rockets closed Tuesday night with a statement finish, rallying past the San Antonio Spurs for a 111–106 win at home after trailing by double digits at halftime. The comeback hinged on defense, discipline, and a late surge that flipped the tone of the game, led by Kevin Durant on both ends of the floor.
Houston looked out of sync early. San Antonio dictated pace in the opening quarter, jumping out to a 39–28 lead behind sharp ball movement and confident shot selection, Pounding The Rock reports. The Spurs continued to control the game into the second period, forcing Houston into rushed possessions while capitalizing on mismatches. By halftime, the visitors held a comfortable advantage and appeared in control.
That changed as the game progressed. The Rockets began chipping away late in the third quarter, setting the stage for a dominant final stretch that completely altered the outcome.
Durant’s Defensive Focus Sets the Tone
One of the biggest shifts came from Houston’s approach to Victor Wembanyama. While the Spurs’ star showed flashes early, the Rockets stayed committed to making him uncomfortable. Wembanyama finished with 14 points on 5-of-21 shooting, marking his least efficient outing of the season.
Durant took on the primary defensive responsibility throughout the night and explained the thinking afterward.
“He’s still working on his jump shot,” Durant said. “He’s more dangerous when he’s in the paint getting layups and dunks. That’s more of his game than shooting jump shots.”
Houston leaned into that idea, prioritizing length and positioning while contesting without overcommitting. When Wembanyama settled for jumpers, the Rockets lived with the results.
“When they go in it looks amazing,” Durant added. “But when you put a hand up, he had a couple bad misses.”
The strategy paid off as San Antonio’s offense slowed. Possessions grew stagnant, and the Spurs struggled to generate clean looks as the shot clock wound down.
Fourth-Quarter Collapse Seals Spurs’ Fate
The turning point arrived in the fourth quarter. Houston outscored San Antonio 29–14 over the final 12 minutes, erasing the remaining deficit with energy plays, timely stops, and decisive execution. The Spurs missed their first eight shots of the quarter, allowing the Rockets to seize momentum in front of the home crowd.
San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson pointed to a breakdown across the board.
“A lot of things went wrong in the fourth quarter,” Johnson said. “We missed open shots, we weren’t strong in creating leads, passing, and mental stuff. It was a variety of things.”
Houston’s pressure forced rushed decisions, not only from Wembanyama but throughout the lineup. Guards repeatedly attacked the paint, drawing help defenders and opening space on the perimeter. Meanwhile, the Spurs failed to regain rhythm as the game tightened.
Durant finished the night with 18 points, four rebounds, and seven assists while shooting efficiently from the field, Pro Football Network reports. The win also carried a historical note. According to Real App, Durant tied Russell Westbrook as the second-fastest Rocket to reach 1,000 points, trailing only James Harden.
For San Antonio, the loss underscored a familiar issue. Strong starts have not consistently translated into complete performances. Wembanyama acknowledged the concern after the game, pointing to late-game execution as an ongoing challenge.
Until the Spurs solve that problem, nights like Tuesday will continue to slip away. For Houston, the victory reinforced a growing identity built on defense, patience, and trust in veterans like Durant when the game tightens.