The Houston Rockets needed a confidence-boosting performance before a brutal upcoming stretch — and they delivered exactly that on Sunday night, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 119-110 in a complete team effort at Toyota Center.
Jan 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant added another historic milestone to his legendary resume, Jabari Smith Jr. snapped out of a scoring slump in style, and Houston’s elite rebounding once again proved to be a major difference-maker. The win marked back-to-back victories for the Rockets after a rough patch of four losses in five games.
Here are the three biggest takeaways from the victory:
1. Kevin Durant Passes Dirk Nowitzki on NBA’s All-Time Scoring List
Durant entered the night sitting just behind Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard. With the game on the line, he calmly stepped to the free-throw line with 15 seconds remaining and knocked down the go-ahead foul shot — his 17th point of the night — officially moving into 6th place on the all-time list.
He now trails only:
LeBron JamesKareem Abdul-JabbarKarl MaloneKobe BryantMichael Jordan
The moment was poetic — Durant’s go-ahead free throw came after a patented mid-range jumper earlier in the stretch that tied Nowitzki. He finished the night with 18 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal in a typically efficient performance, though he admitted he forced a few shots down the stretch.
After the game, Durant reflected humbly:
“It means a lot. Dirk is somebody I look up to. I’m grateful to be among the greats. We gotta keep it going though.”
2. Jabari Smith Jr. Shines Bright on Bobblehead Night
Fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. was the undeniable star of the evening, erupting for a game-high 32 points on better than 50% shooting. Smith had been mired in a scoring slump in recent weeks, but he broke out against New Orleans in spectacular fashion.
He drained 7 threes on 13 attempts — a blistering display from deep — while adding 8 rebounds and 1 block in a full 41 minutes of action. His confidence and aggression were back in full force, exactly what the Rockets will need as they prepare for a tough road stretch against San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Detroit.
3. Rockets’ Rebounding Dominance Remains a Major Strength
Houston continues to lead the entire NBA in rebounding, and that dominance was on full display against the Pelicans. The Rockets out-rebounded New Orleans 47-39, including a crucial 17 offensive rebounds that led to second-chance opportunities all night.
Steven Adams led the way with 10 rebounds, while Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün each grabbed 8, and Durant chipped in 6. The Rockets’ ability to own the glass has been one of the biggest reasons for their success this season — and it was the difference-maker once again.
Up Next: A Massive Clash with the Spurs
The Rockets will now host an in-state rival in the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. CT — a game that pits Houston against the 7-foot-4 phenom Victor Wembanyama. It promises to be one of the most anticipated Rockets matchups in recent memory.
With back-to-back wins, Durant climbing the all-time scoring ranks, and Smith rediscovering his shot, the Rockets head into a critical stretch with momentum on their side.
Houston is rolling — and the Western Conference is on notice