Durant and Sengun Steer Rockets Past Bulls in High-Octane Thriller with 35 Lead Changes

Key Takeaways:

• Kevin Durant scored 28 points and Alperen Sengun posted a double-double with 23 points and 11 assists as Houston triumphed 119-113 over Chicago
• The game saw 35 lead changes before the Rockets surged ahead in the closing minutes
• Tre Jones delivered a career-high 34 points for the Bulls, who fell for the fourth time in five games

Match Analysis

The Rockets emerged victorious over the Chicago Bulls with a 119-113 win, thanks in large part to Kevin Durant’s 28-point performance and Alperen Sengun’s 23 points coupled with 11 assists. The contest was fiercely contested throughout, with the lead changing hands 35 times before the hosts finally managed to create a cushion in the dying stages.

Neither side was able to establish significant momentum until Houston pieced together a decisive run in the final minutes. Trailing by 1 point with around three and a half minutes remaining, the Rockets launched a 7-2 sequence – sparked by a dunk from Durant and capped by a three-pointer from Jabari Smith Jr – to seize a 110-106 advantage.

W at the crib ✔️ pic.twitter.com/DFxKG5kN3H

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 14, 2026

Crucial Fourth Quarter Plays

Tre Jones sliced the lead to 2 points with a layup for Chicago, but Smith responded emphatically. Firstly, Smith knocked down a jumper, and then drained a three-pointer from the top of the key, putting Houston up 115-108 with roughly 90 seconds on the clock.

Kevin Huerter answered with a layup for the Bulls, only for Durant to throw down a powerful dunk, extending Houston’s lead to 117-110 with less than a minute left. The result ended a three-game losing streak for the Rockets.

Player Performances and Turning Points

Amen Thompson contributed 23 points to Houston’s tally, while Jabari Smith Jr finished with 18 points – including 10 vital points during the fourth quarter.

For Chicago, Tre Jones produced a standout performance, racking up a career-best 34 points. However, the defeat marked the Bulls’ fourth loss in their last five outings.

The Rockets held a 6-point lead with roughly eight minutes to play, but Chicago responded, stringing together a 7-0 run – highlighted by three-pointers from Isaac Okoro and Ayo Dosunmu – to claim a 99-98 edge midway through the period.

Houston, struggling from beyond the arc for most of the night (just 4 of 20 on three-point attempts at that stage), briefly reclaimed the lead when Thompson connected from deep. Chicago’s Matas Buzelis quickly replied with a three-pointer of his own, pushing the Bulls ahead 102-101.

After two successful free throws by Thompson, Chicago retook the lead as Buzelis capitalised on a turnover by Durant to make it 104-103 with three and a half minutes to play. The Rockets, however, mustered a late run to clinch the game.

Upcoming Fixtures

The Bulls are set to host Utah on Wednesday night, while the Rockets welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder to Houston on Thursday night.