Most recently, Houston picked up a 126-119 win over the lowly Indiana Pacers on Monday night. The score was a lot closer than the game actually entailed, being that the Rockets were up by as many as 28 points at one point. A sloppy fourth quarter half saw Indiana outscore them 41-21, but the insurance built through the first 36 minutes helped.

Houston finished out its 2025 calendar-year schedule on a three-game winning streak, and the Rockets (20-10) are now 10-1 in their last 11 home games.

But Durant’s presence hasn’t curtailed Smith’s playing time. In his fourth NBA season, the former Auburn star is playing a career-high average of 34.3 minutes per game as Rockets coach Ime Udoka has chosen to start the 6-foot-11 forwards with 6-11 center Alperen Sengun in the league’s longest frontcourt.

Kevin Durant’s 30-point night and Jabari Smith Jr.’s double-double helped the Rockets overcome late-game concerns in a 126–119 win over Indiana that showcased Houston’s evolving identity.

Jabari Smith Jr. has garnered attention for his performance as a 3-and-D wing, providing the Houston Rockets with versatility across the frontcourt. Initially perceived as a role player, Smith's recent statistics challenge this assumption.

Jabari Smith Jr. is now teammates with Kevin Durant on the Houston Rockets. The latter used to be the former’s favorite player until a major decision changed his perception on the star forward. The Rockets acquired Durant from the Phoenix Suns this ...

Jabari Smith Jr. is locking in with the Houston Rockets. The 22-year-old forward was drafted as the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA draft and became the key presence in the Rockets’ core. Now, he will extend his journey with Houston for another five years.

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun Cavs: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen