Rockets beat short-handed Thunder 112-106 as Eason scores 26 and Sengun posts a triple-double

Houston leaned on a season-high scoring night from Tari Eason and a triple-double from Alperen Sengun to beat the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder 112-106 on Saturday, pulling away in the closing minutes of a game that stayed tight deep into the fourth quarter.

Eason finished with 26 points to lead the Rockets, providing a steady scoring punch across multiple stretches. Sengun filled the box score with a triple-double, giving Houston a second focal point through the middle as the Rockets balanced interior playmaking with timely perimeter scoring.

How Houston built the edge

With Oklahoma City missing several key contributors, the game still developed into a competitive, possession-by-possession contest. Houston’s ability to generate offense from different spots on the floor ultimately proved decisive, especially when the Thunder tightened up defensively and tried to make the Rockets work late in the shot clock.

The Rockets repeatedly went to Sengun to initiate offense, using his passing and post touches to create movement and open looks. Eason, meanwhile, converted opportunities in transition and in the half court, finishing plays that helped Houston steady itself when Oklahoma City made runs.

Down the stretch, Houston’s execution in key possessions made the difference. The Rockets were able to get stops and then turn those stops into points, limiting Oklahoma City’s chances to take the lead in the final minutes.

Thunder shorthanded as stars sit

Oklahoma City played without several of its top names, a major factor in how the rotation unfolded and how the offense was organized. The Thunder were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, leaving the team to rely on a patchwork of available players to generate scoring and maintain its normal pace.

The absences reduced Oklahoma City’s usual shot creation and late-game options. Even so, the Thunder stayed within striking distance, using energy plays and defensive pressure to keep the game close. Houston, however, was able to withstand those stretches and avoid the type of prolonged scoring drought that could have swung the result.

Oklahoma City’s depth was tested throughout, especially in the fourth quarter when the margin hovered within a few possessions. Houston’s steadier offensive structure, anchored by Sengun’s playmaking, allowed the Rockets to respond when the Thunder threatened.

Key performers and numbers that mattered

Eason’s season-high 26 points stood out as the top scoring figure in the game, giving Houston a clear scoring leader on a night when it needed one. Sengun’s triple-double provided the broader foundation, as his combination of points, rebounds and assists kept the Rockets from becoming overly reliant on any single action.

Houston’s approach mixed interior touches with opportunistic offense, and the Rockets’ defensive work late helped close the door. Oklahoma City’s undermanned lineup fought through the margin but lacked some of the finishing power that typically comes with its usual core.

While the Thunder’s effort kept the contest competitive, Houston’s ability to produce in the final minutes, along with the steady two-way contributions of Eason and Sengun, proved to be the separating line on the scoreboard.

What the result means going forward

For Houston, the win served as a sign of how the roster can function when role players carry expanded responsibility and the offense runs through a clear facilitator. A high-output night from Eason and a triple-double from Sengun also underscored the team’s capacity to win without needing a single, high-usage perimeter scorer to dominate every possession.

For Oklahoma City, the game functioned as a test of depth and resilience under challenging circumstances. With multiple headliners out, the Thunder leaned into a next-man-up approach, but the missing creation and interior presence were difficult to fully replace over 48 minutes against a Houston team that was able to stay composed late.

Official updates on player availability and upcoming rotations are pending from the teams as the schedule continues.

Disclaimer: This report is based on the published game recap and official box score information available at the time of writing.