Rockets dominate Thunder 119-98 behind Smith Jr.'s 30-point effort

Rockets secure decisive victory

The Houston Rockets neutralized the Oklahoma City Thunder’s early momentum to secure a 119-98 victory at Toyota Center on Saturday, October 31. Jabari Smith Jr. anchored the offensive effort with 30 points, while Alperen Sengun contributed nine assists. The home team improved its record to 6-1, while the visiting Thunder fell to 4-2 in front of an attendance of 18,055.

Early lead and second-quarter surge

The Thunder opened the contest with a 26-0 run, but the Rockets quickly erased the deficit. Houston took a 35-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Rockets extended their advantage in the second period, outscoring Oklahoma City 27-25 to lead 62-51 at the half.

Smith Jr. and Sengun controlled the pace, with Sengun facilitating multiple scoring opportunities for his teammates during the first half.

Third-quarter extension

Houston maintained its dominance in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 30-24. The Rockets pushed their lead to 21 points, trailing only by a small margin in the Thunder’s favor before the final period. Smith Jr. continued to score efficiently from both inside and outside the arc, while the Rockets’ defense limited Oklahoma City’s offensive rhythm.

The Thunder managed to stay within striking distance but could not overcome the sustained pressure from Houston’s core players.

Final stretch and records

The Rockets closed the game with a 27-23 fourth-quarter performance, securing the 119-98 final score. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 26 points, while Ajay Mitchell recorded five assists and Aday Mara grabbed nine rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Thunder could not match Houston’s consistency.

The result marks a significant win for the Rockets, who have now won six of their first seven games, while the Thunder remain in the middle of the pack with a 4-2 record.

Sources

ESPN