Rockets vs Thunder: Tari Eason fuels comeback win as Durant adds punch

The Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 112–106 on Saturday, February 7, 2026, riding a season-best scoring night from Tari Eason and a steady all-around performance from Alperen Şengün. The result snapped Houston’s two-game skid and handed Oklahoma City a home loss in a matinee that swung sharply after halftime.

For fans searching “thunder vs rockets,” “okc vs rockets,” or “houston rockets vs oklahoma city thunder match player stats,” the headline is simple: Houston’s third-quarter burst flipped the game, and Oklahoma City couldn’t fully recover down the stretch.

Where to watch Rockets vs Thunder

The game aired nationally on ABC (U.S.), with local options varying by market. Replays and condensed game versions typically follow through standard league and team platforms, depending on regional rights.

Tipoff was 3:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City.

How the game turned in the third quarter

Oklahoma City built an early cushion and led by as many as 15 in the second quarter, but Houston stabilized behind defense and transition offense coming out of the break. A decisive stretch in the third quarter featured a long Thunder scoring drought while the Rockets piled up stops, pushed the pace, and generated clean looks.

Even after Oklahoma City tied it late in the fourth quarter, Houston’s composure and shot-making held up. The Rockets’ best possessions came from quick decisions—paint touches that collapsed the defense, followed by kick-outs or cuts that forced rotations.

Tari Eason’s night, and why it mattered

Eason delivered 26 points, his best scoring output of the season, and gave Houston a jolt in both tempo and physicality. He wasn’t just finishing plays—he was igniting them, running the floor, and punishing Oklahoma City when the defense hesitated.

That matters in a matchup featuring long, rangy defenders: when Houston’s wings play downhill, it pulls the Thunder’s rim protection into tougher choices.

Key player stats: Rockets vs Thunder

Thunder shorthanded, new faces involved

Oklahoma City played without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the absence showed most in late-clock situations when the offense needed a reliable creator. The Thunder still got strong guard play from Cason Wallace and a bench lift from Isaiah Joe, but the team’s scoring came in waves rather than a steady flow.

One of the day’s subplots was Jared McCain’s debut for Oklahoma City after a recent deal, with his minutes giving the Thunder another option to evaluate as they shape their rotation.

Durant’s presence changes Houston’s ceiling

The Rockets have plenty of young athleticism, but Kevin Durant gives them a different kind of leverage: late-game shot quality. Even on a night when he didn’t dominate touches, his scoring efficiency and gravity helped open space for others—especially when Oklahoma City tried to load up on Şengün’s playmaking from the elbow and the post.

Houston’s best stretches came when the offense didn’t stick. When Durant, Şengün, and the wings kept the ball moving, the Thunder’s length became less of an advantage and more of a scramble.

What this means next for both teams

For Houston, the win is a reminder that their identity works when defense drives everything: get stops, run, and let Şengün orchestrate before the defense sets. If Eason and Smith continue to provide consistent scoring alongside Durant’s steady output, the Rockets can survive cold stretches without abandoning their structure.

For Oklahoma City, the immediate priority is health and late-game shot creation. Holmgren’s rebounding and interior presence were strong, but the team will want cleaner offensive possessions when the pace slows—especially against physical opponents that can string together stops the way Houston did after halftime.

Sources consulted: Reuters, Associated Press, ESPN, NBA official statistics database