Houston Rockets host New Orleans Pelicans in Western Conference clash

The Rockets look to extend their lead over the Pelicans in the standings

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The Houston Rockets (40-25, 3rd in Western Conference) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (22-45, 12th in Western Conference) on Friday night. The Rockets have won two of the three matchups between the teams this season, with Jabari Smith Jr. leading Houston to a 119-110 victory in their last meeting on January 19. The Pelicans have been playing well lately, going 7-3 in their last 10 games, while the Rockets have a 6-4 record over the same stretch.

Why it matters

This game is important for both teams as they jockey for position in the crowded Western Conference playoff race. The Rockets are looking to solidify their spot in the top 4, while the Pelicans are trying to climb up the standings and get back into the postseason picture.

The details

The Rockets are led by superstar Kevin Durant, who is averaging 25.9 points per game. The Pelicans are paced by Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey, who have both been playing well lately. The Rockets have the edge in points in the paint, while the Pelicans have the advantage in 3-point shooting percentage.

  • The teams will face off on Friday, March 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT.
  • This will be the third meeting between the Rockets and Pelicans this season.

The players

Kevin Durant

The star forward for the Houston Rockets, averaging 25.9 points per game.

Trey Murphy III

The starting small forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 22.1 points per game.

Saddiq Bey

The starting power forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 20.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game over the last 10 games.

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What they’re saying

“We must come out focused and ready to compete against a tough Rockets team. They have a lot of firepower, so we'll need to be at our best defensively.”

— Trey Murphy III, Small Forward, New Orleans Pelicans (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

“This is a big game for us as we try to solidify our position in the standings. We know the Pelicans are a dangerous team, so we'll need to bring our A-game to get the win at home.”

— Kevin Durant (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a big step towards securing a higher playoff seed in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Rockets and Pelicans features two teams heading in opposite directions in the playoff race. Houston is looking to cement its status as an elite team in the West, while New Orleans is fighting to get back into the postseason picture. The outcome of this game could have major implications for both franchises as the regular season winds down.