Game ID: 22500453
Indiana Pacers @ Houston Rockets
Monday, December 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 30 36 39 21 126IND 25 23 30 41 119
HOU vs IND ScoutingHOU vs IND Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
HOU availability going into 12/21 · back-to-backOUT Eason missed 14 since 11/16, returns tonight: 16 min (59% of 26)
OUT Finney-Smith missed 25 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Sengun back 12/11 after 2, 36 min since (107% of 34)
NEW Smith Jr. 36 to 41 min over the last 5
NEW Okogie 17 to 26 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 26 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Sengun back 12/11 after 2, 37 min since (110% of 34)
BACK Eason back 12/21 after 14, 16 min since (59% of 26)
NEW Durant 36 to 42 min over the last 5
NEW Okogie 17 to 28 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 27 since 10/21, returns tonight: 13 min (81% of 16)
BACK Eason back 12/21 after 14, 17 min since (64% of 26)
NEW Okogie 17 to 26 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restBACK Eason back 12/21 after 14, 20 min since (76% of 26)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/25 after 27, 13 min since (81% of 16)
NEW Okogie 17 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restBACK Eason back 12/21 after 14, 20 min since (77% of 26)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/25 after 27, 15 min since (90% of 16)
HOU availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Sengun missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 34 min (100% of 34)
BACK Eason back 12/21 after 14, 22 min since (83% of 26)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/25 after 27, 15 min since (93% of 16)
HOU availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restBACK Sengun back 1/01 after 2, 34 min since (100% of 34)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/25 after 27, 15 min since (93% of 16)
HOU availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Adams missed 2 since 1/01, returns tonight: 31 min (137% of 23)
BACK Sengun back 1/01 after 2, 17 min since (52% of 34)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/25 after 27, 15 min since (95% of 16)
HOU availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restBACK Sengun back 1/01 after 2, 17 min since (52% of 34)
BACK Adams back 1/05 after 2, 31 min since (137% of 23)
IND availability going into 12/22 · 1 day's restOUT Nesmith missed 16 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 6 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 25 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 4 since 12/12, returns tonight: 1 min (4% of 17)
OUT Peter missed 5 since 12/08, returns tonight: 1 min (5% of 13)
BACK Que. Jackson back 12/14 after 18, 17 min since (95% of 18)
BACK Wiseman back 12/20 after 25, 15 min since (101% of 15)
IND availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Nesmith missed 17 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 7 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 26 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Bradley missed 2 since 12/20, returns tonight: 3 min (25% of 11)
BACK Que. Jackson back 12/14 after 18, 17 min since (93% of 18)
BACK Jones back 12/22 after 4, 1 min since (4% of 17)
BACK Wiseman back 12/20 after 25, 13 min since (92% of 15)
BACK Peter back 12/22 after 5, 1 min since (5% of 13)
IND availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Nesmith missed 18 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 8 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 27 since 10/29, out tonight
BACK Que. Jackson back 12/14 after 18, 15 min since (83% of 18)
BACK Jones back 12/22 after 4, 1 min since (6% of 17)
BACK Wiseman back 12/20 after 25, 13 min since (88% of 15)
BACK Peter back 12/22 after 5, 1 min since (7% of 13)
BACK Bradley back 12/23 after 2, 3 min since (25% of 11)
IND availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Nesmith missed 19 since 11/15, returns tonight: 19 min (65% of 30)
OUT Sheppard missed 9 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 28 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Isa. Jackson missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
BACK Jones back 12/22 after 4, 3 min since (17% of 17)
BACK Wiseman back 12/20 after 25, 13 min since (88% of 15)
BACK Peter back 12/22 after 5, 3 min since (22% of 13)
BACK Bradley back 12/23 after 2, 5 min since (43% of 11)
IND availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Sheppard missed 10 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 29 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Isa. Jackson missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
BACK Nesmith back 12/27 after 19, 19 min since (65% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/22 after 4, 3 min since (18% of 17)
BACK Wiseman back 12/20 after 25, 13 min since (88% of 15)
BACK Peter back 12/22 after 5, 3 min since (23% of 13)
BACK Bradley back 12/23 after 2, 7 min since (62% of 11)
IND availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Sheppard missed 11 since 12/05, returns tonight: 19 min (87% of 21)
OUT Toppin missed 30 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Isa. Jackson missed 4 since 12/23, out tonight
BACK Nesmith back 12/27 after 19, 21 min since (72% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/22 after 4, 6 min since (35% of 17)
BACK Peter back 12/22 after 5, 3 min since (24% of 13)
BACK Bradley back 12/23 after 2, 8 min since (70% of 11)
IND availability going into 1/02 · 1 day's restOUT Toppin missed 31 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Isa. Jackson missed 5 since 12/23, out tonight
BACK Nesmith back 12/27 after 19, 25 min since (84% of 30)
BACK Sheppard back 12/31 after 11, 19 min since (87% of 21)
BACK Bradley back 12/23 after 2, 9 min since (77% of 11)
IND availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Toppin missed 32 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Isa. Jackson missed 6 since 12/23, out tonight
BACK Nesmith back 12/27 after 19, 26 min since (87% of 30)
BACK Sheppard back 12/31 after 11, 18 min since (82% of 21)
IND availability going into 1/06 · 1 day's restOUT Toppin missed 33 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Isa. Jackson missed 7 since 12/23, out tonight
BACK Nesmith back 12/27 after 19, 28 min since (93% of 30)
BACK Sheppard back 12/31 after 11, 20 min since (93% of 21)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Thompson at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 125, shooting 44 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Siakam at 21 and McConnell at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Sheppard (10 straight), Toppin (29 straight), Isa. Jackson (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-8 a night and Indiana minus-8 and the arc, Houston at 42 percent from three to Indiana's 30. Call it Houston 121, Indiana 109, Houston by 12.
12/21 @ SAC 124-125 — HOU notes
HOU lost 124-125 in 1 overtime. HOU shot 48% (45 of 94) to SAC's 46%, 16 of 38 from three, and got to the line 24 times to SAC's 36. Sengun led with 28 (12 of 17, 4 of 6 at the line); Durant added 24, Thompson 18. Q2 was theirs, 37-27, but the other 4 periods went 98-87 against them. They led by as many as 14. Smith Jr.'s -20 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/23 @ LAC 108-128 — HOU notes
HOU lost 108-128. HOU took 9 more shots (86 to 77), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 50% to LAC's 55%, 9 of 30 from three, and got to the line 18 times to LAC's 27. HOU turned it over 13 times to LAC's 8. Durant led with 22 (8 of 15, 1 of 4 from three); Thompson added 19, Sengun 19. Q1 was theirs, 35-29, but the other 3 periods went 99-73 against them. Sheppard's -21 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/25 @ LAL 119-96 — HOU notes
HOU won 119-96. HOU shot 53% (48 of 90) to LAL's 51%, 8 of 24 from three, and went to the line 19 times to LAL's 11 — 15 points from the stripe to their 7. The glass went 48-25 for them. Thompson led with 26 (12 of 19); Durant added 25, Smith Jr. 16. The hinge was Q1, 37-25: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 24. Durant was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
12/27 vs CLE 117-100 — HOU notes
HOU won 117-100. HOU shot 49% (43 of 88) to CLE's 43%, 16 of 35 from three, and went to the line 21 times to CLE's 11 — 15 points from the stripe to their 7. Durant led with 30 (11 of 17, 2 of 4 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Sheppard added 18, Smith Jr. 15. The hinge was Q3, 30-17: a lead of 14 became 27, and the lead reached 31. Adams was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
12/29 vs IND 126-119 — HOU notes
HOU won 126-119. HOU shot 59% (49 of 83) to IND's 50%, 10 of 27 from three. HOU turned it over 16 times to IND's 9, and IND turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 50-29 for them. Durant led with 30 (13 of 20, 2 of 6 from three); Smith Jr. added 21, Thompson 20. The hinge was Q2, 36-23: a lead of 5 became 18, and the lead reached 28. Adams was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
1/01 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 104, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 27 and Dëmin at 16 a game. Without Williams (2 straight), Saraf (7 straight), Martin (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 114, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Sengun at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Sengun (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-11 a night and Brooklyn plus-0 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 104 a night to Houston's 114. Call it Houston 113, Brooklyn 112, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/03 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 123, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Flagg at 22 and Williams at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Russell (2 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 54 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Thompson at 20 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 16 a night. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-16 a night and Dallas minus-3 and the defense, Houston allowing 108 a night to Dallas's 123. Call it Houston 118, Dallas 114, Dallas keeping it close.
1/05 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 104, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 15 a night. Without Adams (2 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Allen (9 straight), Green (25 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-15 a night and Phoenix plus-8 and the defense, Houston allowing 104 a night to Phoenix's 110. Call it Houston 117, Phoenix 110.
1/07 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Avdija at 28 and Sharpe at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Holiday (25 straight), Grant (10 straight), Henderson (37 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 104, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 104 a night to Portland's 116 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-13 a night and Portland plus-5. Call it Houston 116, Portland 114, Portland keeping it close.
12/22 @ BOS 95-103 — IND notes
IND lost 95-103. IND shot 39% (33 of 85) to BOS's 43%, 13 of 40 from three. The glass went 36-49 against them. Siakam led with 25 (9 of 18, 4 of 7 from three); Nembhard added 20, Mathurin 16. Q1 was theirs, 35-26, but the other 3 periods went 77-60 against them. They led by as many as 20. Mathurin's -21 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/23 vs MIL 94-111 — IND notes
IND lost 94-111. IND shot 41% (33 of 81) to MIL's 51%, 8 of 31 from three, and went to the line 33 times to MIL's 24 — 20 points from the stripe to their 17. McConnell led with 16 (7 of 9); Siakam added 15, Nembhard 14. Q4 was theirs, 26-25, the deficit cut from 18 to 17, but the other 3 periods went 86-68 against them. McConnell's -12 in 21 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/26 vs BOS 122-140 — IND notes
IND lost 122-140. IND shot 49% (44 of 89) to BOS's 57%, 18 of 44 from three, and got to the line 20 times to BOS's 34. Nembhard led with 18 (7 of 13, 4 of 7 from three); Mathurin added 13, McConnell 13. Q1 was theirs, 39-28, but the other 3 periods went 112-83 against them. They led by as many as 15. Walker's -19 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 @ MIA 116-142 — IND notes
IND lost 116-142. IND shot 49% (46 of 93) to MIA's 51%, 12 of 38 from three. IND turned it over 26 times to MIA's 10, and MIA turned those into 17 steals. Siakam led with 33 (14 of 21, 4 of 6 from three); Mathurin added 25, Nembhard 15. Q2 was theirs, 32-30, turning a 1-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 112-84 against them. Nesmith's -26 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/29 @ HOU 119-126 — IND notes
IND lost 119-126. IND shot 50% (44 of 88) to HOU's 59%, 18 of 34 from three. IND turned it over 9 times to HOU's 16. The glass went 29-50 against them. Siakam led with 23 (8 of 16, 1 of 3 from three, 6 of 10 at the line); Mathurin added 14, Nesmith 14. Q4 was theirs, 41-21, the deficit cut from 27 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 105-78 against them. Huff's -29 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/31 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Siakam at 21 and Mathurin at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Sheppard (11 straight), Toppin (30 straight), Isa. Jackson (4 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Black at 26 and Bane at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Fra. Wagner (8 straight), Suggs (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 116 a night to Indiana's 124 and the turnovers, Indiana giving it away 15 times a game to Orlando's 11. Call it Orlando 116, Indiana 114, Indiana keeping it close.
1/02 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Mathurin at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Toppin (31 straight), Isa. Jackson (5 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 28 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 24 and Fox at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-4 a night and Indiana minus-10 and the defense, San Antonio allowing 117 a night to Indiana's 126. Call it San Antonio 120, Indiana 115.
1/04 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 27 free throws a game; Black at 24 and Banchero at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Fra. Wagner (10 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 129, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Nembhard at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Toppin (32 straight), Isa. Jackson (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the arc, Indiana at 40 percent from three to Orlando's 32 and the defense, Orlando allowing 117 a night to Indiana's 129. Call it Orlando 121, Indiana 113.
1/06 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 128, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Siakam at 28 and Nembhard at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Toppin (33 straight), Isa. Jackson (7 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Mitchell at 25 and Garland at 16 a game. Without Wade (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 111 a night to Indiana's 128 and the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-2 a night and Indiana minus-8. Call it Cleveland 119, Indiana 115, Indiana keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
INDAN A. Nembhard
AN A. Nesmith
BM B. Mathurin
ET E. Thompson
JF J. Furphy
JH J. Huff
JW J. Walker
KJ K. Jones
MP M. Potter
PS P. Siakam
QJ Q. Jackson
TB T. Bradley
TM T. McConnell
TP T. Peter
HOUAH A. Holiday
AT A. Thompson
CC C. Capela
DF D. Finney-Smith
JD J. Davison
JG J. Green
JO J. Okogie
JS J. Smith Jr.
JT J. Tate
KD K. Durant
RS R. Sheppard
SA S. Adams
TE T. Eason
IND/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Kevin Durant's 30 points power Rockets to 126-119 win over Pacers
HOUSTON -- — Kevin Durant scored 30 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 126-119 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
It’s the second straight 30-point game for Durant and his 10th this season, his first in Houston since a blockbuster summer trade from Phoenix.
Jabari Smith Jr. had 21 points with 10 rebounds and Amen Thompson added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets, who have won three in a row after dropping four of their previous five games during a tough road trip.
It’s the ninth consecutive loss for the Pacers, who have the NBA’s worst record at 6-27 with Tyrese Haliburton out all season with an Achilles injury.
The Rockets led by 27 to start the fourth and were up by 16 when coach Ime Udoka cleared the bench with 2 1/2 minutes to go.
Pascal Siakam had 23 points to lead the Pacers and Aaron Nesmith added 14 with four 3-pointers.
The Rockets led by 16 at halftime and used a 12-3 spurt after the break to push the lead to 78-51 with about 10 minutes left in the third quarter. Smith had two 3-pointers in that stretch and Durant added four points.
Houston remained up by 27 midway through the third before the Pacers went on a 14-2 run to get within 89-74 with about four minutes remaining in the quarter. Siakam scored six points in that time and Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard capped the run with 3s.
The Rockets rediscovered their offense after that, using a 16-4 run, with 3-pointers from Reed Sheppard and Dorian Finney-Smith , to take a 105-78 lead into the fourth quarter.
Houston’s Steven Adams had eight points and five rebounds in his second straight start for All-Star Alperen Sengun , who is out with calf tightness. Adams left in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle and didn’t return.