A fierce overtime battle saw Houston push Denver to the absolute limit. This clash showcased incredible offensive firepower and a controversial finish.
The Houston Rockets opened their road trip in Denver on Friday night with a loss, but if this was meant to be a tone-setter for the next stretch, it did exactly that. This was the first of six straight road games, and it came against a Nuggets team sitting at 18-6 and second in the Western Conference, desperate to snap a four-game home losing streak. Houston entered at 16–6, third in the West, 8-4 on the road, and still leading the league in second-chance shots. Both teams had three days of rest. The building was packed. The energy was loud. And the game felt like it mattered from the jump.
Denver may be a top-tier first-quarter team, but it was Houston that set the early tone. Alperen Şengün came out dominant, putting up 10 points and two assists by the halfway mark of the first quarter. The Rockets controlled pace, moved bodies, and forced Denver to work for everything. Despite Nikola Jokic and Şengün both being part of the rare group of centers averaging seven or more assists, it was Houston that finished the first quarter up six.
The second quarter is where momentum began to wobble. Denver rattled off an 8-0 run as Houston struggled to finish clean looks. Reed Sheppard started the night ice cold, going 0-for-6 before finally knocking down his first bucket- a three. The Rockets still controlled much of the half, but the final three minutes slipped away. At the break, Denver led 58-51, with both Kevin Durant and Şengün sitting at 14 points apiece. Ime Udoka picked up a technical arguing with officials, and the tone of the game was officially set: physical, emotional, and unforgiving.
Houston responded the right way in the third. The Rockets came out hot, reclaiming the lead and marking the tenth lead change of the night. At that point, Durant had missed just two shots all game, sitting at 5-for-7, while Josh Okogie was a perfect 5-for-5. Bruce Brown’s reckless finish resulted in a flagrant foul on Durant, sending him to the line. Durant continued doing what he does best- drawing contact, living at the stripe, and knocking down that familiar midrange fadeaway. Okogie added an insane dunk and nine points in the quarter, and an 8-0 Houston run capped by a steal and Sheppard dunk swung momentum back again.
The fourth quarter turned into a grind. Bodies flying under the rim. Jokic living at the free-throw line. Things got personal between Jokic and Şengün. Leads changed hands possession by possession. With 1:30 left, it was tied at 109. Then 112. Then 115 with 20 seconds remaining. Shot-making reached absurd levels. Every seat in the building was standing.
Şengün gave Houston a one-point lead with two seconds left after the Rockets went a perfect 5-for-5 on their final possessions. A controversial trip was called on Amen Thompson, Houston challenged, and lost. One free throw sent the game to overtime.
In OT, Jokic picked up his fifth foul on Şengün- both now at five- and Denver opened with a 3-0 run. Durant sent Jokic to the line again before Jokic fouled Reed Sheppard and was ejected after an unsuccessful Denver challenge. Houston called timeout down three with 6.8 seconds left. That was as close as it would get.
Denver closed it out.
Jokic finished with his twelfth triple-double of the season: 39 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, shooting 48-percent from the field and 55.6-percent from deep. Jamal Murray added 35 points and five assists. For Houston, Şengün posted a monster triple-double of his own with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, shooting just under 52-percent. Durant added 25 points, seven assists, and five blocks. Jabari Smith Jr. provided balance, knocking down four of six from three.
Houston didn’t leave Denver with a win, but they left with proof. This road trip just started, and if this game was the bar, the Rockets aren’t backing down from anyone.