Rockets Surge Past Clippers in Second Half

Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün lead Houston to victory in the teams' first of two games before the All-Star break.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 10:55pm

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The Houston Rockets overcame a halftime deficit to take control and beat the Los Angeles Clippers 102-95 on Tuesday night. Kevin Durant scored a game-high 26 points, while Alperen Şengün added 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Rockets duo took over in the second half, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a 15-point fourth quarter lead that proved enough to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This win keeps the Rockets in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, as they improved to 33-19 on the season. The Rockets and Clippers will battle again on Wednesday in their last game before the All-Star break, with Durant and Şengün set to represent Houston in the midseason festivities.

The details

The Rockets won the second half by 8 points, powered by a resurgent offensive performance and stifling defense. Houston shot 48.6% from the field and 50% from three-point range in the second half, while holding the Clippers to just 40% shooting from the field and 3-for-13 from deep. Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points for the Clippers but shot just 7-for-19 from the field.

  • The Rockets and Clippers will battle again on Wednesday, February 12, 2026 in their last game before the All-Star break.

The players

Kevin Durant

A 19-year NBA veteran and star player for the Houston Rockets.

Alperen Şengün

A young rising star for the Houston Rockets, who scored 22 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in the win.

Kawhi Leonard

The star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, who scored a team-high 24 points but shot just 7-for-19 from the field.

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What’s next

The Rockets and Clippers will face off again on Wednesday, February 12, 2026 in their last game before the All-Star break.

The takeaway

This win keeps the Rockets firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture, as they continue to get strong performances from their star duo of Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün. The Rockets' ability to turn a halftime deficit into a comfortable victory highlights their resilience and ability to make key adjustments on both ends of the floor.