Key Takeaways:
- Kevin Durant registered his second straight 30-point performance as the Rockets overcame the Pacers 126-119
- Houston has now won three games in a row, while Indiana suffered their ninth consecutive defeat and dropped to an NBA-worst 6-27 record
- Steven Adams exited with a right ankle sprain during his second consecutive start in place of Alperen Sengun, who is sidelined with calf tightness
Game Summary and Momentum Shifts
Kevin Durant starred once again for the Houston Rockets, scoring 30 points to guide his side to a 126-119 triumph over the Indiana Pacers in Houston on Monday. This marked Durant’s second consecutive game posting at least 30 points, being his 10th such outing of the campaign – his maiden season with the Rockets since his high-profile move from Phoenix in the summer.
Supporting Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 21 points along with 10 rebounds, while Amen Thompson tallied 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. This collective effort helped Houston secure their third consecutive victory, following a tough spell where they had dropped four of five contests during a demanding road schedule.
last home game of '25 ends with a dub 😁#AllFire pic.twitter.com/WAIj5emsY6
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 30, 2025
Pacers’ Ongoing Struggles
The Indiana Pacers extended their run of misfortune, suffering their ninth straight loss to own the league’s poorest record at 6-27. Their campaign has been severely affected by Tyrese Haliburton’s absence; he has missed the entire season after sustaining an Achilles injury.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers’ scoring charts with 23 points, while Aaron Nesmith added 14, sinking four three-pointers. Indiana showed resilience in the third quarter, cutting a 27-point deficit behind a 14-2 scoring burst that included three-pointers from Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard. Nevertheless, they could not sustain the momentum needed for a comeback.
Key Moments and Player Performances
Houston went into halftime up by 16 before a 12-3 surge early in the third quarter widened the margin to 78-51. In that span, Smith knocked down a pair of three-pointers and Durant scored four points. The Rockets held onto a 27-point cushion halfway through the third, but Indiana narrowed the gap before Houston responded emphatically with a 16-4 run, capped by Reed Sheppard and Dorian Finney-Smith three-pointers, giving them a 105-78 advantage heading to the final period.
Coach Ime Udoka opted to empty his bench with two and a half minutes left, as Houston maintained a 16-point lead into the closing stages.
Steven Adams, filling in as a starter for All-Star Alperen Sengun for a second straight game due to calf tightness, recorded eight points and five rebounds prior to departing in the third quarter after spraining his right ankle.
| Top Performers | Houston Rockets | Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Scorer | Kevin Durant – 30 pts | Pascal Siakam – 23 pts |
| Rebounds Leader | Jabari Smith Jr. – 10 reb | Johnny Furphy, Pascal Siakam – 4 rebs each |
| Assists Leader | Amen Thompson – 7 ast | Micah Potter – 6 ast |
Upcoming Fixtures
- Pacers will host Orlando on Wednesday
- Rockets will visit Brooklyn on Thursday night
