Rockets Rebound with Dominant Win Over Raptors

Kevin Durant's big first half leads Houston to victory after blowout loss to Spurs

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Houston Rockets bounced back from a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs by defeating the Toronto Raptors 113-99 at Toyota Center. Kevin Durant led the way for the Rockets, scoring 29 points on 12-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range in the first half. The Rockets outrebounded the Raptors by 24 and scored 22 second-chance points. Rookie Jabari Smith Jr. also had a strong game for Houston, scoring 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

Why it matters

This win helps the Rockets bounce back after a disappointing loss and keeps them in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference. The Raptors, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to gain ground in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race.

The details

The Rockets jumped out to a 29-20 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 58-49 at halftime behind Durant's dominant first half. The Raptors made a push in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to just three points, but the Rockets' defense clamped down in the fourth, limiting Toronto to just 16 points in the final frame. In addition to Durant's big night, Jabari Smith Jr. continued his strong play since returning from an ankle injury, scoring 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

  • The Rockets were coming off a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
  • The Raptors entered the game 36-28 on the season.

The players

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' star forward had a dominant first half, scoring 22 of his game-high 29 points and making all four of his 3-point attempts.

Jabari Smith Jr.

The Rockets' rookie forward continued his strong play since returning from an ankle injury, scoring 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

Scottie Barnes

The Raptors' forward led the team with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.

RJ Barrett

The Raptors' guard scored a team-high 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting.

Steven Adams

The Rockets' center joined the team on the bench for the first time since his season-ending ankle surgery.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This win shows the Rockets' resilience after a tough loss and highlights the continued development of their young core, led by Durant and Smith Jr. The Raptors, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race.