Houston Rockets Rally From 16-Point Deficit to Top San Antonio Spurs
The Houston Rockets mounted their largest comeback of the season Tuesday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 111-106 in a thrilling matchup that showcased the team’s fourth-quarter resilience and offensive firepower.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets’ comeback bid with a near triple-double performance, tallying 20 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists. Reed Sheppard proved crucial down the stretch, pouring in 12 of his 21 points during the fourth quarter to shift momentum in Houston’s favor. Kevin Durant contributed 18 points as the Rockets secured their third consecutive victory.
The Rockets entered the fourth quarter trailing by 10 points but opened the period with a powerful 9-0 scoring run to cut the deficit to just one point. With the score tied at 104-104 with approximately two minutes remaining, Sheppard’s crucial defensive block on a Julian Champagnie three-point attempt proved pivotal. Jabari Smith Jr. followed with a fadeaway shot to put Houston ahead 106-104.
Sengun sealed the victory with a basket 30 seconds remaining, extending the lead to 108-104 before Sheppard added two free throws for the final margin.
Spurs’ Strong Performance Falls Short
Despite the loss, San Antonio delivered an offensive showcase led by Julian Champagnie, who made eight three-pointers and led all scorers with 27 points. The performance continued Champagnie’s hot shooting after setting the franchise record with 11 three-pointers against the Knicks on December 31. Victor Wembanyama, typically a dominant force in the paint, was held to 14 points with 10 rebounds.
The game began with unusual circumstances when a player bent the rim during warmups, causing a 22-minute delay as officials replaced the equipment. The Spurs capitalized on the disruption, building a 16-point lead before Houston’s determined second-half rally.
Looking Ahead
The Rockets vs Spurs rivalry continues to showcase competitive basketball in the Western Conference. Houston improves to 28-16 at home while San Antonio falls to 31-15 overall, remaining atop the Southwest Division standings.
