‘The paint was open’: Rockets bludgeon Kings inside, improve to 14-5

After playing 11 of their first 18 games on the road, the Rockets are beginning a stretch with three of four games inside their friendly home confines of Houston’s Toyota Center.

So far, so good. Led by 24 points and a season-high 8 assists from Kevin Durant, the Rockets easily overcame a halftime deficit and cruised to a 121-95 victory (box score) in Wednesday’s homestand opener versus the Kings.

Sacramento fell to 5-17 on the 2025-26 season, while Houston improved to 14-5.

The Rockets connected on a season-low five 3-pointers out of 16 attempts (31.3%), yet it didn’t matter thanks to a relentless downhill approach that resulted in 78 paint points and 20 made free throws. That paint-points total ranks fifth in franchise history.

“The paint was open, so we’d rather get those efficient paint shots,” Durant said postgame. “We had (almost) 80 points in the paint! That’s just a source of good offense. I know it’s a 3-point shooting league... but if you see things opening up that easily and you can get layups, then why chuck threes?”

Durant connected on 9-of-16 shots (56.3%), and he didn’t turn the ball over a single time.

Other statistics of note included:

• Alperen Sengun: 28 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals; 11-of-20 shots (55.0%), 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%)

• Amen Thompson: 20 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 turnovers, 2 steals; 8-of-16 shooting (50.0%), 4-of-4 on free throws

• Steven Adams: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks in 18 minutes; 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%)

• Malik Monk (Kings): 25 points, 5 assists; 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%), 5-of-8 on 3-pointers (62.5%)

The Rockets crushed the Kings in the rebounding battle, 71-39, and they were +23 in fast-break points. Between that and the massive advantage in paint points, Sacramento was uncompetitive despite doubling Houston’s 3-point total (10).

In a rematch of the Nov. 24 game that Houston won at Phoenix, the Rockets will finish out their current homestand with Friday’s visit from the Suns (13-9). Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.

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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘The paint was open’: Rockets bludgeon Kings inside, improve to 14-5