March 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) takes an inside shot against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images Kevin Durant scored a team-high 32 points, Amen Thompson had a triple-double, and the Houston Rockets survived a late rally from the visiting New Orleans Pelicans to win 107-105 on Friday.
Led by Dejunte Murray, who scored a season-high 35 points, and Zion Williamson (21 points), the Pelicans went on a 12-1 run to take a 104-100 lead with 31.8 seconds left. But Jabari Smith Jr. hit a corner 3-pointer for the Rockets, and the Pelicans followed with two crucial turnovers that opened the door for Houston to steal the win.
Murray went out with 13 seconds left in the game, and Durant followed with a pull-up jumper to give Houston a 105-104 lead. Williamson then made an errant inbounds pass that eluded Herb Jones and went out of bounds. Durant followed with a pair of free throws.
Murray shot 14 of 18 from the field in his eighth game back from an Achilles injury. Trey Murphy III added 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Pelicans, turning 12 Houston turnovers into 17 points. The Pelicans trailed by as many as 11 points in the game until they rallied in the fourth inning.
Thompson had 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Rockets, who played without All-Star center Alferen Sengun (back). Smith scored 16 points and Reed Shepherd added 18 points and five 3-pointers off the bench. Reserve center Clint Capela totaled nine points, five rebounds and four blocks.
Murray was hot from the start, scoring 10 points in the first quarter on 4-for-4 shooting. But Thompson (nine points, four rebounds) matched that production, and Houston took a 28-24 lead when Smith followed a replay comeback with a dunk that gave the Rockets possession.
Sheppard hit back-to-back 3s to cap a Pelicans run early in the second to put Houston ahead 39-32, and Murray torched the Pelicans once again. Smith then completed a 3-point play with 2 minutes and 3 seconds left in the first half, and the Rockets extended their lead to 53-43.
Murray beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to pull the Pelicans within 57-49 at the break.
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