The Houston Rockets snapped a rough patch in clutch situations with a hard-fought 126-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, improving to 20-10 and solidifying their spot near the top of the Western Conference. Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. carried the load, combining for 51 points on an efficient 21-of-36 shooting, along with 16 rebounds and 7 assists. Smith Jr. notched a double-double, dominating inside and stretching the floor.
Durant led with 30 points, while Smith Jr.’s all-around performance—scoring in the post, knocking down threes, and cleaning the glass—was exactly what Houston needed to close out a close game.
After the win, Durant opened up about his mentorship role with the third-year forward, per Rockets sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson:
“We’re going to need that moving forward. Me & Bari have talked a lot about us taking the shots we want to take, not letting the defense dictate what we do out there, and using our length, using our size to get shots off. Bari has just been tough to stop down in that post, knocking down those threes, doing everything for us. So, we’re going to need that from him.”
The chemistry between the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer and the 22-year-old rising star is paying dividends. Durant’s veteran guidance—encouraging Smith Jr. to be aggressive and trust his size—has helped unlock a more confident, assertive version of the young big man.
Houston has now won three of their last four, showing signs of stabilizing after recent late-game struggles. With Durant playing at an elite level (still averaging over 25 PPG on historic efficiency) and Smith Jr. emerging as a reliable second option, the Rockets look dangerous heading into the new year.
Next up: The Rockets continue their homestand against a tough opponent. Durant and Smith Jr.’s growing partnership could be the key to Houston making a real push in the West.
Rockets fans: This duo is just getting started. The future looks bright in H-Town.