NBA: Houston Rockets Beat Indiana Pacers 118-114 Sans Kevin Durant

Alperen Sengun matched his season high with 39 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. added 19 to help the short-handed Houston Rockets overcome the absence of All-Star forward Kevin Durant to beat the Indiana Pacers 118-114 on Monday. Durant sat out, coach Ime Udoka said, after spraining his left ankle when he stepped on a fan’s foot. The Rockets already were missing center Steven Adams, who is expected to miss the rest of this season following surgery on his injured left ankle, so Sengun did the heavy lifting.

Updated on: 3 February 2026 10:51 am

Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Andrew Nembhard

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) shoots over Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Jay Huff

Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) fouls Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Alperen Sengun

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) is fouled from behind by Indiana Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin (00) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Clint Capela

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, center, fights for the ball with Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) and forward Isaiah Jackson (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Aaron Nesmith

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (23) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Tari Eason

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) shoots over Indiana Pacers guard Johnny Furphy (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Tyrese Haliburton

Injured Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates after a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (23) drives on Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Pascal Siakam

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives on Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (23) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Jae'sean Tate (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy

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Rockets Vs Pacers NBA Basketball photos-Bennedict Mathurin

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots in front of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. | Photo: AP/Michael Conroy