MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Kevin Durant scored 25 points and sparked a fourth-quarter comeback as the Houston Rockets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 119-109 Friday night, ending a two-game losing streak. The Rockets’ victory, coupled with a historic moment in Los Angeles, highlighted a busy night of NBA action.
Durant’s performance was crucial, particularly after returning near the 7-minute mark of the fourth quarter with the score tied at 96-93. He immediately hit a three-pointer, igniting a 14-3 run that gave Houston a comfortable lead. He also finished the game with 10 assists.
Jabari Smith Jr. Contributed a strong double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds for Houston, while Amen Thompson added 18 points. Alperen Şengün, a key player for the Rockets, added 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in the win.
The Grizzlies, continuing to struggle through a difficult season marked by numerous injuries, were led by Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who had a career-high 31 points and 7 rebounds. GG Jackson and Javon Small each chipped in with 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Memphis from suffering their fifth consecutive loss and their 13th defeat in the last 14 games.
Durant Fuels Fourth-Quarter Surge
The game remained competitive for much of the night, but Houston began to pull away in the third quarter, building a double-digit lead before entering the fourth with an 87-82 advantage. Durant’s return in the final period sealed the victory, as his scoring and playmaking proved too much for the Grizzlies to handle.
The Rockets, currently in sixth place in the Western Conference, are now just one game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for fifth and four games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for seventh. This win strengthens their position in the playoff picture as the regular season winds down.
LeBron James Achieves NBA First
In Los Angeles, LeBron James made history during the Brooklyn Nets’ 116-99 loss to the Lakers. James recorded an assist to his son, Bronny James, on a three-pointer in the second quarter, marking the first father-to-son assist in NBA history.
Luka Dončić led the Lakers with a dominant performance, scoring 41 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Austin Reaves added 26 points and 8 rebounds, while James finished with 14 points and 8 assists. Dončić’s performance was his 15th game this season reaching the 40-point mark.
The Nets, meanwhile, continued to struggle, suffering their 10th consecutive defeat. Josh Minott led Brooklyn with 18 points and 6 rebounds, while Nic Claxton and Ziaire Williams each contributed 16 points.
Grizzlies Grapple with Injuries
The Grizzlies’ losing streak is compounded by a significant injury list, with ten players unavailable for Friday’s game against Houston. The team is focused on evaluating young players and positioning themselves for a favorable outcome in the upcoming draft lottery.
The Rockets will continue their road trip with a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The Grizzlies will return home to host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
Next Up: The Houston Rockets face the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, March 29th. The Memphis Grizzlies host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, March 28th.
